ORLO VISTA, Fla. — A new program is launching next week to help Orange County homeowners who are still dealing with damage caused by Hurricane Ian.

It’s called the Orange County Recovers program.

It will provide funding to repair, reconstruct or replace single-family and mobile homes that were damaged by Ian.

There is about $35 million allocated in the Community Block Grant for Disaster Recovery set aside for this program, which the county hopes will help about 200 homeowners. Some homeowners are already hoping to be considered.

Janet Buford Johnson’s Orlo Vista home has been in her family for over 30 years and it’s where she’s raised her four kids. But now she doesn’t even recognize it.

Despite her best efforts to make repairs, she still lives surrounded by damage caused by Hurricane Ian nearly three years ago.

She was rescued from several feet of floodwater during the storm, which left a lasting impact on the foundation of her home.

“You see this seam right here? It cracks all the way up,” said Johnson, pointing to the outside of her home.

While the financial help from FEMA helped her get walls again, she explained it wasn’t enough to fix everything.

“It’s been a challenge because if you don’t have enough money for something, you still have to try to survive and then you still have to buy food,” said Johnson.

That is why on March 5, Orange County is launching Orange County Recovers, to help low-to-moderate income homeowners get back on their feet.

Tuesday, county commissioners heard a presentation from county staff about how the program will work.

It will be an option for those in Orange County who owned their home when Ian hit and used it as their primary residence.

The property must also not be subject to bankruptcy proceeding or in foreclosure.

Buford Johnson says she plans on applying.

“It gives me hope once more,” said Johnson.

While she doesn’t know what the future will hold, she’s thankful for the chance to get back to what life was like before the storm.

“It’s an opportunity to have your home whole and be made somewhat whole again.”

Online applications go live on March 5, which can be found by clicking this link.

The deadline to apply is Aug. 30.

For those who might struggle with filling out an online application, in-person appointments can be made as well.

The phone number to set up an appointment is 321-382-3514.