Pasco County is set to receive over $585 million in federal funding to aid in storm recovery efforts.

The funding comes from the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program administered by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). These funds will support recovery efforts across Pasco County in the wake of Hurricanes Idalia, Helene, and Milton.

For some residents, the rebuilding process continues. Ralph Cramton, for example, has spent the last six months working on repairs to his home, cutting wood, and replacing items lost in the storm.

“We lost everything—furniture, everything,” Cramton explains. “It’s been a slow process, but we’re getting there.”

In December, Spectrum News highlighted Cramton’s story as he worked on repairs while fighting leukemia. Now, he’s seeing real progress.

“This is my next project,” Cramton says, pointing to a windowsill he’s been working on. “The walls are mostly done, and rooms are starting to come back together.”

Cramton hopes to finish up within the next month or so, saying, “I’m about 30 to 45 days away from having all the boxes and plastic out and the rooms painted. Then, I can finally take a break and stop the repairs for a while.”

Last fall, over 800 homes in Pasco County were destroyed by hurricanes, which led to the county’s application for federal grant funding. The grant will assist with housing repairs, infrastructure improvements, economic revitalization, public services, and long-term planning.

“Part of the funding will go toward stormwater, water systems, and other infrastructure that was damaged during the hurricanes,” said Marcy Esbjerg, senior program administrator for the Office of Disaster Recovery Resources. “We’ll also be focusing on strengthening critical public facilities.”

Cramton sees the funding as a vital lifeline for homeowners still struggling with storm recovery. “There are a lot of people out there who need help, and I’m all for that,” he says.

For Cramton, each day brings new progress. “It’s all one day at a time,” he says. “No one gets more than that. I just try to make the best of it.”

Pasco County will hold public meetings starting Tuesday in Zephyrhills for residents to share their thoughts on how the federal funds should be allocated. An action plan detailing the allocation of the grant will be released by the county on Monday.

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