He has been arrested 19 times dating back to 1969. Usually, charges were dropped or reduced to misdemeanors.

When he got out of jail, Kevin says, "he was very upset to find his property was damaged and some of his appliances were gone."

Johnny King says Wilma tore away his screen enclosure, thieves made off with a washer and dryer and drug addicts stripped off aluminum.

"This was a nice trailer," King says. But now, he says, "If they knew I was living here, they'd condemn it."

Except for a few nights a month, Johnny now stays with friends. In his trailer, he points the glowing end of a cigar at holes in the ceiling and warns that the floor might give way.

The bathtub and toilet don't work. The kitchen sink, stove and microwave are filled with dishes, rendering them useless, if they still work at all.

LETTERS UNANSWERED

For its part, FEMA says it "works tirelessly to find long-term housing solutions." But it's clear that King's case has been taxing for both the federal agency and its local counterparts.

Debra McDonald of Palm Beach County's "211" agency wrote to King on Jan. 12, saying she had applied for food stamps, a free cellphone and an increase in his Medicare benefits. She wrote again on July 14 and Aug. 25. Each time, it was the same story: We had an appointment, we came, you weren't there.

"I have tried on several occasions to meet with you as well and you never answer the door," McDonald wrote.

The Florida Department of Children and Families wrote in January, trying to help with financial assistance for medical expenses. DCF counselor Helen Swain wrote again in August: Trying to reach you. Call in 10 business days or we close the case.

Also in January, the Area Agency on Aging said King had been placed on the waiting list for home-delivered meals and assistance in bathing and dressing.

He wrote on that letter, "B.S."

Then he spelled it out.