But to Marie and Bobby Roche, it is a sliver of paradise. They have lived with family since the roof of the historic home they rented in Punta Gorda peeled off during Hurricane Charley.

``It's nice to have a place to call your own,'' Marie Roche said of the housing park supplied by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. ``This place is great for us. We have water and electricity and room to breathe.''

The Roches and their three children, ages 7, 11 and 12, are among hundreds of families moving into the 350 three- bedroom trailers. They have 18 months to live there for free. They don't know where they will go after that.

Housing demand is high, and some rents have doubled. More than 500 people are on waiting lists for government- assisted housing.

Bobby Roche, who works at Sam's Club, is back on the job after being unemployed for weeks because of the Aug. 13 storm. His wife hasn't worked since she had children and is determined to stay home to raise them. Their 11-year-old son has spina bifida.

But the housing costs in Charlotte County might force families such as the Roches to leave. The monthly tab on the Roches' rental house was $700, a deal that's impossible to find since Charley.

``A one-bedroom apartment can go for over $1,000,'' said Marie Roche, who has lived in Punta Gorda nearly all her life. ``It's not an easy thing to do to pick up and leave. We don't want to move, but we can't afford to stay.''

More than three months after Charley ripped through, residents are grasping at normalcy. Schools have reopened, some with double sessions because six were destroyed.

Charlotte County will rebuild. It may come back better because of so much federal money available, said Wayne Sallade, the county's emergency management director. New schools, firehouses and a convention center are planned.

``It's not the way one would choose to remake a community,'' Sallade said. ``But we have to make the best of a bad situation. We're going to be a more vibrant community down the road.''

There are signs of progress, but remnants of destruction are constant reminders that rebuilding takes time. Steel light poles are doubled over. Businesses and homes are boarded up. Piled-up debris litters alleys and mobile home parks. The stench of mold and burning wood fills the air.

Corporate retailers, such as AutoZone and McDonald's, have risen from rubble with new buildings. But relief hasn't come as quickly for mom and pop shops such as Elena's Restaurant, which had more than $500,000 in damage and was underinsured.

``The funds weren't there, but the spirit was,'' said owner Elena Martinez, who worked 12-hour days to reopen. ``I'll be paying loans back for a long time, but I just had to bring back something comfortable and familiar for my employees and customers.''

Reporter Shannon Behnken can be reached at (813) 259-7146.