News Summary
Students at the University of South Florida St. Petersburg are grappling with a housing crisis after Hurricane Milton caused significant water damage to their residences. With ongoing repairs at Pelican Apartments, residents remain in temporary accommodations like the university’s ballrooms. Many students express concerns about living conditions, safety, and the university’s slow response to support displaced students. An online petition for compensation and improved housing solutions has garnered significant support, highlighting the urgency of addressing these issues amidst the ongoing recovery efforts.
St. Petersburg, FL – Students at the University of South Florida (USF) St. Petersburg are currently facing a housing crisis as they remain displaced following water damage to their residences due to Hurricane Milton on October 29. Repairs at the affected Pelican Apartments (RHO) are ongoing, with an anticipated completion date still pending.
As of now, repairs at RHO are being conducted by up to 100 workers daily, including weekends. Initially, the building was closed to all residents for a minimum of two weeks starting from October 13, with an initial completion date expected by October 26. However, RHO residents have not been permitted to return to their homes, leaving them unable to collect personal items.
Currently, a number of students are attending classes remotely while living temporarily in the upstairs ballrooms of the University Student Center. This makeshift arrangement began on October 15 when students were moved in, leading to a sense of camaraderie among them. Separate areas have been designated for different groups within the ballroom to help manage the situation.
Upon arriving in the ballrooms, students were initially provided only with air mattresses and had to wait until October 18 for blankets and sheets to be distributed. The housing department had expected students to bring their own bedding and supplies. Reports indicate that, as of October 17, thirteen students were being housed, but student observations suggest that the total may be over nineteen individuals.
Housing staff are available in the ballrooms between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. for assistance; however, security only becomes available after 9 p.m. This gap has raised safety concerns among students, as there are times during which they do not have supervision. In addition to comfort and safety issues, concerns about unsettling behavior from some individuals have been raised. Students have had to use campus gym facilities for showers, but there have also been reports of pest issues in the men’s locker room.
Students are still awaiting news about when they can return to their homes, as ongoing maintenance to RHO is expected to continue until at least mid-next week. An online petition created by a student has amassed over 1,169 signatures, pushing for compensation and improved housing solutions in light of the displacement. Many students have expressed dissatisfaction regarding the university’s slow response in providing immediate financial relief.
In response to concerns, the interim chief of staff indicated that students who were displaced would receive housing credits for future semesters based on the length of their displacement. Nonetheless, many remain frustrated about a lack of reimbursement for students opting for off-campus accommodations. The cost of on-campus housing, approximately $4,500 per semester, has also been a point of contention, especially given the current inadequate temporary housing conditions.
There has also been criticism regarding RHO’s structural stability, with calls for clarification on whether it meets current building codes. Some students have encountered connectivity issues while attempting to participate in online classes, exacerbating educational challenges amidst the upheaval. The atmosphere on campus has dramatically shifted, with noticeably quieter classrooms and sparsely populated lecture halls.
Given the increasing frequency of evacuations due to hurricanes, students have called for the university to develop a more effective emergency response plan. Historically, areas affected by storms witness an increase in housing inventory and subsequent rebuilding efforts after some recovery time, underscoring the need for improved preparedness in the face of natural disasters.
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Additional Resources
- Crows Nest St. Pete: RHO Repairs Update
- USF Oracle: Professor Housing Struggles
- St. Pete Catalyst: Displaced Students
- Newsweek: Florida Condo Market Crisis
- Sun Sentinel: Hurricane Aftermath and Rebuilding
- Wikipedia: Hurricane
- Google Search: Florida Hurricane cleanup
- Google Scholar: Hurricane Impact on Housing
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Hurricane Preparedness
- Google News: USF St. Petersburg Displacement
Author: STAFF HERE PETERSBURG WRITER
ST PETERSBURG STAFF WRITER The ST PETERSBURG STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREStPetersburg.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in St Petersburg, Pinellas County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Grand Prix of St. Petersburg, Localtopia, and SHINE Mural Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the St. Petersburg Area Chamber of Commerce and St. Pete Downtown Partnership, plus leading businesses in finance, manufacturing, and healthcare that power the local economy such as Raymond James Financial, Jabil, and Bayfront Health St. Petersburg. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREJacksonville.com, HEREOrlando.com, HERETallahassee.com, and HERETampa.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Florida's dynamic landscape.
