U.S. Rep. Anna Paulina Luna is calling on FEMA to waive its 50% rule, a regulation she says is forcing residents out of their homes. She first shared her plan with WFLA, outlining efforts to involve President Donald Trump.

More than four months have passed since Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton devastated Tampa Bay’s coastal communities, leaving behind extensive damage. Many residents are still struggling to rebuild, including St. Petersburg homeowner Chace Vaughn.

“Once we got the substantial damage letter, we had to submit detailed estimates, going room by room, breaking down costs for everything,” Vaughn explained.

WFLA’s Nicole Rogers asked, “So you have to fight for the right to repair your own home?”

“Yeah,” Vaughn replied. “That’s the crazy part. You pay taxes, and yet they’re holding you hostage out of your own home.”

The 50% Rule’s Impact

FEMA considers a home “substantially damaged” if repair costs reach 50% or more of its market value (excluding land). For flood zone residents, this often means they can’t simply repair their homes—they must rebuild at a higher elevation, an extremely costly requirement.

Rep. Luna is working to change that.

“I’ve requested that FEMA waive the 50% rule,” she said. “It’s forcing people out. They’re selling their homes for pennies on the dollar—it’s simply unacceptable.”

She hopes President Trump will intervene.

“Our investigations found FEMA discriminating against individuals,” Luna stated. “We need a top-down overhaul and an exception to this rule to keep Pinellas residents in their homes.”

She expects a decision soon.

“FEMA should be here the first week of March,” Luna said. “Hopefully, they’ll announce the waiver.”

Local Leaders Call on Trump

Pinellas County mayors are also urging the president to act.

Treasure Island Mayor John Doctor wrote, “FEMA’s bureaucracy is preventing our residents from making simple repairs and returning home.”

St. Pete Beach Mayor Adrian Petrila echoed that sentiment: “Neighborhoods are in limbo due to FEMA regulations.” He urged Trump not to forget Florida, emphasizing, “The barrier islands of Pinellas County need relief.”

In response, the Big C, a coalition of 11 municipalities from St. Pete Beach to Clearwater, is uniting to send a joint letter to the president, amplifying their plea for change.

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(Image credit: Lance Lansrud)