Time is nearly up for Pinellas County residents hoping to tap into an unusual pot of federal disaster money that helps hurricane survivors buy homes instead of just repairing them.
The Pinellas Recovers Homebuyer Assistance Program is accepting applications through Friday, offering eligible residents up to $80,000 in down payment assistance using federal disaster recovery funds.
The program uses federal disaster recovery dollars administered by Pinellas County through Pinellas Recovers, and is one of five efforts distributing aid to residents affected by recent hurricanes.
To qualify, applicants must have lived in Pinellas County during Hurricanes Idalia, Helene, or Milton, must not already own a home, and must meet household income limits. Those limits reach up to 120% of the area’s median income, roughly $110,000 a year for a two-person household and about $137,000 for a family of four. Homes purchased through the program must also be located outside a flood zone.
Grant coordinator Mackenzie Bergstrom said the funding source is unusual because disaster relief dollars aren’t typically used to help people purchase new homes. She said the flood zone requirement means the county is directing families away from areas at risk of future flooding while helping them recover from past storms.
County officials said about 600 applications remain in the pipeline, with three to four home closings taking place each week. More than 50 buyers have already purchased homes through the program.
One recipient, Lisa Dunaway, said she and her husband applied after their apartment was damaged in the 2024 hurricanes and she was injured during cleanup. She described her disbelief when an attorney announced the $80,000 check had arrived at closing.
The application deadline is July 31 at 11:59 p.m. County officials said applicants who submit before the deadline will continue through the review process even after the window closes. Friday is also the deadline for renter reimbursement assistance through Pinellas Recovers, though separate programs for homeowner repairs and landlord assistance remain open.
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