Sumter County Aids Wildwood Family in Rebuilding Home After Hurricane Milton

Wildwood, FL – Levy and Shirley Lacey officially closed on their brand-new home in Wildwood on Friday, September 18, 2026, marking a new chapter after Hurricane Milton destroyed their previous residence in October 2024. The Sumter County Economic Development Division and the State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP) program provided crucial assistance to the family.

Hurricane Milton caused widespread damage across Sumter County when it made landfall in Florida in October 2024. The storm took away the home where the Laceys had lived for 50 years, forcing them to navigate the challenging process of rebuilding. Their daughter reported the storm damage to Sumter County, initiating the support process.

Days after the damage report, the Recovery Section of Sumter County’s Emergency Response connected the Laceys with the SHIP Demolition/Reconstruction Program. This program assists eligible homeowners in constructing a new home when a structure is deemed unsafe or destroyed by a disaster, or when rehabilitation costs exceed 80 percent of the home’s value. The Laceys submitted their application in person, and county staff completed a site visit in November 2024.

The SHIP program offers assistance up to $175,000, provided as a zero percent interest loan. This loan is secured by a recorded mortgage and promissory note, requiring monthly payments over thirty years. Homeowners impacted by extreme weather events must contact Sumter County’s Economic Development Division before the state’s executive order expires to access this vital assistance.