VIDOR, Texas — Two years after Harvey carved a path of destruction across Southeast Texas some are still struggling to get back into their homes.
When 12News spoke with Randall Allen, of Vidor, last August he was living in a FEMA trailer while his home was being repaired.
Another year has passed and Allen is still living in that trailer.
Allen says being unable to return home has been devastating, but there's light at the end of the tunnel.
"It's getting closer and closer, and I'm that close to getting back in and it feels wonderful," he said.
Allen said one of the major hang-ups on his journey has been the Texas Land Commission. He says they've gone back on forth on what they said they will and won't do and the process has been slow.
"They keep saying it's the red tape," Allen said.
"They haven't helped me not one little bit. It's an obstacle more than they're helping."
Allen, who is medically retired, relies on outside services to make the repairs.
ALong with his battle with the Texas Land Commission, he's overcome struggles with FEMA and contracting scams.
"I hate to be negative, but this is just my experience and what's happened to me," Allen said.
With his medical condition, Allen needs air conditioning to be able to move back into his home. He says the contractor he hired tried to skimp out on installing his unit.
Rrecently, Allen finally got the system up and running.
The progress he's made so far has been thanks to church groups, outreach programs, and his brother. Children on mission trips came in and helped with flooring, painting, and other repairs.
"They did more in those five days than anybody has done, and I just can't thank them enough," Allen said.
His brother is an electrician, and drove more than 100 miles to help rewire the house.
"Without those people, I'd be years in that trailer," Allen said.
To make his home ready for move-in, Allen still needs to make repairs to his bathroom and kitchen. He now has hot water and a washer and dryer.
"Everything is rolling along now that I've got through these certain obstacles," Allen said.
"That trailer is really nice, it really is, I can stay there as long as they allocate it, but that isn't home, this is my home, this is where I grew up, and there's no place like home," Allen said.
Allen, who can't wait to be back in his home, says the first thing he'll do is say a prayer and ask his preacher to bless the home.