Pinellas County will begin accepting applications next week for hurricane recovery programs aimed at helping vulnerable, lower-income residents affected by recent storms.

The programs are funded by an $813 million Community Development Block Grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development—the largest federal storm recovery grant awarded to any local government in Florida following Hurricanes Helene and Milton. The funding also covers damage from Hurricane Idalia in 2023.

Five programs will roll out in phases. The first two, launching October 20, are Disaster Relief Reimbursement and Homeowner Reimbursement. Residents earning up to 80% of area median income can receive up to $15,000 for storm-related expenses like temporary housing and utilities not covered by insurance or FEMA. Those earning up to 120% of area median income can get up to $50,000 for code-compliant repairs already completed.

Additional programs include Homeowner Rehabilitation/Reconstruction and a Local Landlord program, offering up to $375,000 to replace damaged homes or rental properties. Landlords receiving funds must rent to income-qualified tenants. A Homebuyer Assistance program will provide up to $80,000 for closing costs to help residents purchase homes outside flood zones.

Federal requirements mandate that 70% of funds go to low-to moderate-income residents. For a single person, 80% of the area median income equals $58,450 annually, while 120% equals $87,600.

County officials said they assembled the programs in just over a year, compared to nearly two years in some other Florida counties. Commission Chair Brian Scott said he hopes to distribute checks to residents by Christmas.

St. Petersburg residents are excluded from the county program, as the city will launch its own recovery initiative called Sunrise St. Pete. All other Pinellas County residents can apply starting October 20 at recover.pinellas.gov or by calling 727-606-3307.

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(Image credit: Patrick Heinzen)

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