Hillsborough County commissioners are set to vote Wednesday on a proposal to allocate more than $700 million in federal disaster recovery funds following a series of recent hurricanes.

The county expects to receive approximately $709 million in Community Development Block Grant funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The money is intended to help repair storm damage and reduce the risk of future disasters after Hurricanes Idalia, Debby, Helene, and Milton struck the area over the past two years.

According to the county’s draft plan, at least 70% of the funding will benefit low- to moderate-income households. The proposed spending breakdown includes:

• $415 million (58%) for repairing and replacing damaged homes
• $140 million for infrastructure upgrades, including stormwater systems and road repairs
• Nearly $100 million to support small businesses and displaced workers

The vote follows months of planning and community engagement, including nine public meetings where residents identified their most urgent needs.

“To some of you, it feels like forever with us trying to get help,” Assistant County Administrator Cheryl Howell said last month. “But we have to go through the process in order to get the money — and I often tell people, no money, no mission.”

The Hillsborough County Commission meeting begins at 9 a.m. Wednesday. If approved, the plan will be submitted to HUD for final review and authorization.

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