In 2005-2007 the housing boom was at its peak, multiple hurricanes pummeled Florida and the construction industry was at its height!  These factors created a lack in building materials, causing many builders to import their product from out of the country.  Much of the drywall that was purchased during this time was from China and has been the cause of many damaging issues since this time, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC).

Over 100,000 complaints from homeowners to the CPSC suggest that the tainted drywall is the cause behind a sulfur-like odor that permeates throughout the home, corroded metals and wiring, such as A/C coils, and even respiratory problems in the homeowners themselves. 

Many homeowners are finding themselves between a rock and a hard place, as insurance companies will not cover the costs of replacing the drywall stating it falls under a pre-existing condition.  Florida has turned to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) in an effort to seek aid for distressed homeowners, only to be turned down in two short days.

Some homeowners have been able to seek aide through the Federal Community Development Block Program, designed to help homeowners that need to repair their home due to tainted drywall or other situations.  However, this program is only available for low-income households and as many of these homes are newly built homes, the program is unable to help them.

Certain builders are helping homeowners by paying for the new construction and alternative housing while the drywall is being replaced.  But for those homeowners that haven’t been so lucky, they are being held accountable for all costs accrued from the tainted drywall.