The City of St. Pete began accepting applications today for nearly $160 million in federal assistance to help residents affected by Hurricane Helene in 2024 and Hurricane Idalia in 2023.

The program, called Sunrise St. Pete Disaster Recovery, is funded through community development block grants from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. It offers assistance for home repairs, rebuilding, reimbursement for expenses, and home elevation. Some funds can also cover rent, mortgage payments, and utility costs for qualifying applicants.

Priority will be given to low-to-moderate income families earning up to 80 percent of the area’s median income, as required by HUD guidelines. City officials anticipate high demand for the funds.

Among those affected was Michele Knight, who lived in the Edgemoor neighborhood for more than a decade before Hurricane Helene made her home unlivable. Sewage water damaged her house and belongings after city officials shut down the Northeast Water Reclamation Facility due to storm surge. Knight has since depleted her savings on replacement items and higher apartment rent.

The city council approved the grant on October 2.

Applications can be submitted online at the Sunrise St. Pete website or in person at 1914 4th St. N, Suite 1920, and at the Enoch D. Davis Center at 1111 18th Ave. S. Both locations are open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Saturday from 9 a.m. to noon. A call center is available Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 727-591-2990 or sunrise@stpete.org.

Follow the St. Pete-Clearwater Sun on Facebook, Instagram, Threads, Google, & X

St. Pete-Clearwater Sun: local St. Pete-Clearwater news at PIE-Sun.com