San Diego flood victims kicked out of lodges earlier than voucher expiration date

A household of ten, flooded out of their Mountain View dwelling final January, was checked out of their lodge with no place to go on Friday afternoon.

Advocates mentioned there was a miscommunication between the county’s voucher program supplier Equus and the Ramada Inn in Nationwide Metropolis. It result in a scramble to seek out the Meza household a spot to remain.

“There’s lots of confusion occurring. The lodge is insisting that as we speak is the day,” mentioned flood sufferer Juan Meza on Friday.

Confused and pissed off flood victims Juan Meza, his sister Ivonne.

“I’m mad as a result of our due date right here, our try day isn’t until the 11^th. Give us a bit bit extra time,” mentioned Juan’s sister, Ivonne Meza.

Eight different members of the family have been knowledgeable on Friday afternoon that it was check-out time. 

“We already tried staying, they mentioned there is not any means you’ll keep right here,” Juan mentioned.

So that they packed up their belongings from the three rooms they’d been staying in on the fifth flooring of the Ramada Inn in Nationwide Metropolis.

“That is going to vary all the pieces for us as a result of we received the children at school, we’ve to go check-in on the home. It is a good location as a result of it’s near dwelling,” Juan mentioned.

San Diego County employed Equus to deal with the lodge vouchers for his or her flood victims. NBC 7 reached out to Equus on Friday afternoon however didn’t get a return name earlier than publication.

Ivonne confirmed NBC 7’s Dave Summers a voucher for the Ramada Inn with an expiration date of March 11.

County spokesperson Mike Workman informed NBC 7 the Mezas failed to point out up on time to examine into their authentic designated rooms. The Ramada Inn and Equus received them into three different rooms that have been reserved for different visitors beginning March 8. The county says regardless of the March 11 voucher expiration, the lodge notified the Mezas of the early try date, however acknowledges that communication may have been higher. 

There are some 200 extra flood victims on the Ramada Inn all with vouchers set to run out on March 11. A flyer on the lodge entrance desk says these vouchers will probably be prolonged to March 25. The county is verifying that, though the folks staying at this lodge grew involved after this occurred to the Mezas.

“It is upsetting. It’s unhappy. It is miserable figuring out this might occur to any of us at any time,” mentioned flood sufferer Michael Rios.

Rios additionally has a voucher for the Ramada Inn set to run out on March 11.

“I haven’t acquired an extension. I’ve talked to Equus. I haven’t gotten no affirmation. All people retains calling however getting no return calls,” Rios mentioned.

Flood sufferer advocate Andrew Banez says getting voucher extensions has been a typical drawback.

“We needed to step in after they already made transition to county and pivot to Equus,” Banez mentioned.

He mentioned he’s labored with 40 households with comparable issues to maintain a roof over their heads.   

“A whole lot of these households are owners, renters however they’re handled like homeless,” Banez mentioned.

In a part of an e-mail to NBC 7, the county spokesperson wrote:

“This has not occurred earlier than, to my information. This case is phenomenal, a one-off. And the issue has been solved.”

With Banez’s assist, Equus supplied the Mezas with vouchers for 3 rooms on the Baymont Resort on Cortez Hill.

They will keep right here or transfer again to the Ramada subsequent week.

“Our home isn’t even half completed. We don’t also have a room steady to maneuver into over there,” Yvonne mentioned.

The household continues to be going through an unsure future and after this expertise, they’re shedding confidence.