PORT ORANGE, Fla. — A special and life-changing homecoming took place in Volusia County on Monday. 

U.S. Marine Corps veteran Leo Laliberte and his wife Deborah received a new home that had to be replaced due to flooding from Hurricane Ian in 2022. 

Through Volusia County’s Transform386 initiative, the Laliberte’s now have a new spot to call home, and they couldn’t be any happier.

What You Need To Know

  • A Volusia County couple experienced a life-changing homecoming on Monday
  • Their home had to be replaced due to flooding from Hurricane Ian in 2022
  • Through Volusia County's Transform386 initiative, the Laliberte’s now have a new spot to call home

Leo and his wife Deborah moved to Port Orange from Massachusetts about five years ago. And when they arrive in Florida, they never thought they’d lose their home.

Leo Laliberte stands in front of his house as it is demolished ahead of a renovation. (Transform386)

“There’s so many people involved in this, it’s hard to thank everybody,” Leo said. 

They did not see their new home until Monday, and as they walked through it, they made the most out of the little things. 

“In a word, I think it’s gorgeous," Deborah said. "Having been married to this man, I know that it’s well done."

This replacement project was made possible through the Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Recovery Funding provided by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. 

Reconstruction of the home took 57 days. The county is looking to complete more projects like this one. 

“We’ve completed approximately nine, but 90 are in the construction process right now and we’ve got about 500 to 600 total that are actively moving through the process,” Dona Butler, director of the office of Recovery and Resiliency for Volusia County said. 

If you are a Volusia County resident and would like to apply for Transform386, visit this link.