HORRY COUNTY, (WBTW)- One man’s home in Lee’s Landing was ruined by flood waters from Hurricane Florence, and he said because of a county ordinance, he could be homeless.
Peter Delaney said he bought a camper to live in on his property after his home was ruled condemned, but, because of the county’s camper ordinance, he may have nowhere to go.
“I just have no idea what we’re going to do,” said Delaney.
After Hurricane Florence, his home OF nearly 20 years is unlivable.
“It was four feet deep inside the house. FEMA came and the inspector wouldn’t even go past the front door,” said Delaney.
Delaney said FEMA gave him money to stay in a hotel for two months, but that will run out in two days. He said he doesn’t have enough money to buy a new trailer, so he bought a camper to live in on his property. He said he tried to get the power turned back on, but code enforcement would not allow it because the trailer is condemned.
“Zoning and planning tells us we can’t stay here because it is illegal to live in a camper on your own property no matter the circumstances,” said Delaney.
The county zoning ordinance said you can live in a camper on properties in that area, but only for 15 days per month, provided there is no existing home or commercial building on the site. The only exception is if the camper is used in conjunction with a special event.
Delaney said county officials told him he could get a generator and stay there for 15 days, but he says he’ll need to live in the camper for months.
“Very desperate. I’m 54 years old and probably within a week or two, I’m going to be homeless. Even though I have property and I have a place to stay, Horry County would rather see their residents be homeless than live in a camper on their own property,” said Delaney.
The Horry County Planning and Zoning Director said they understand the challenges individuals have in trying to make repairs, and if they have a camper on their property while making repairs, they are not enforcing the ordinance. However, they are not allowing people to obtain a permanent power source for the camper.
