Jacksonville Woman Faces Homelessness as Home Repairs Halt

Woman with suitcases outside fire-damaged home

News Summary

Andrea Shilhavy, a Jacksonville resident, is grappling with homelessness after a fire damaged her townhome. Despite filing an insurance claim and navigating repair complications, a stop work order has left her living in limbo. With mounting living expenses and deteriorating communication from her insurer, the community watches as she seeks resolution in her battle for housing stability.

Jacksonville Woman Struggles with Homelessness as Fire-Damaged Home Restoration Stalls

In the heart of Jacksonville, a woman named Andrea Shilhavy is experiencing a nightmare scenario that many can only imagine. For months, she has been living out of suitcases and crashing on various couches while waiting for repairs on her fire-damaged townhome to be completed. However, the city’s recent decision to issue a stop work order has turned her hopes of returning home into a seemingly never-ending saga.

A Fire Breaks Out

Things took a turn for the worse when a fire broke out in a neighboring unit of Shilhavy’s townhome on May 24, 2024, just as families were enjoying the Memorial Day weekend. Fortunately, neighbors alerted her to the situation just before midnight, allowing her to escape the smoke and flames that left significant damage behind.

Homeowner’s Nightmare Unfolds

After the fire, Shilhavy promptly filed an insurance claim through Homesite Insurance, which she has been paying for diligently over the past 17 years. Unfortunately, what followed were nearly a full year of frustrating delays and poor communication regarding the restoration of her home. The chaos escalated when the insurance company stopped covering her additional living expenses as of November 7, 2024, leading her to face a challenging reality—she was practically homeless.

Over the next few months, Shilhavy found herself hopping from hotels to Airbnbs and friends’ couches, racking up more than $30,000 in living expenses, all while she attempted to regain a sense of normalcy. It became evident that the situation was spiraling out of control.

Lost in the Loopholes

As Shilhavy sought assistance, she enlisted the help of Christian Reed, a public adjuster from River City Claims. He began investigating the web of complications surrounding the repair process. The problems didn’t stop at delays; independent reports revealed that the mitigation work performed on her home was subpar, leading to further complications, including issues like excess moisture, mold behind the drywall, and poorly installed kitchen cabinets. The absence of essential items like a sink and countertops only compounded her woes.

Compliance Issues with Contractors

Adding insult to injury, it was discovered that the contractor, OneRestore, assigned through a Managed Repair Program with Homesite Insurance, lacked the proper licensing to handle the restoration of a multi-unit townhome. City officials highlighted that OneRestore only held a Certified Residential Contractor license, while a Certified General Contractor license was necessary for these kinds of repairs. The contractor’s performance was so flawed that the city issued a stop work order, citing damages like wet and compromised walls due to the contractor’s negligent work.

Frustration and Isolation

Despite the insurance company insisting that her home was livable with only electrical service needing restoration, independent testing revealed alarming levels of smoke residue hidden within the walls. For Shilhavy, it feels as though she is caught in an endless battle, navigating the blame game between her insurance company and contractors, leaving her feeling unseen and unheard.

The Need for Support

Shilhavy had agreed to the Managed Repair Program under the assumption and hope that her insurance company would safeguard the proper execution of all necessary repairs. However, what she has faced since has been a series of unfortunate events, culminating in significant personal and emotional strain.

This experience has made her wary and frustrated, emphasizing her need for empathy and support as she tries to reclaim her home and life. As she continues to fight for answers and resolution, the community watches closely, with many knowing just how precarious life can be after unforeseen disasters. Shilhavy’s situation is a stark reminder of the importance of accountability in such unpredictable circumstances.