Pinellas County is taking a significant step forward in its recovery efforts following the recent hurricanes with the release of its draft action plan for the $813.783 million Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) fund.
The county announced today that the draft plan, outlining proposed programs to assist residents and businesses impacted by the storms, is now open for public review and comment until May 23, 2025.
This substantial federal funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) aims to address unmet needs identified through extensive data review and feedback from over 3,000 resident survey responses.
READ: Florida Trooper’s Double Life: Drugs, Deceit, And A 9-Year Fall
The draft plan prioritizes getting assistance to those most affected, with a focus on programs designed to help individuals and families rebuild their lives.
The proposed programs cover a wide range of needs, including:
- Home Rehabilitation or Reconstruction: Assisting homeowners with the costs of repairing or rebuilding storm-damaged properties.
- Home Repair Reimbursements: Providing financial relief to residents who have already undertaken necessary repairs.
- Homebuyer Assistance: Helping individuals and families achieve homeownership.
- Mobile Homeowner Relocation: Supporting the relocation of mobile homeowners whose properties were severely damaged.
- Local Landlord Affordable Rental Housing Assistance: Encouraging the availability of affordable rental options.
- Disaster Relief Payments: Offering temporary financial assistance for essential expenses like rent, mortgage, and utilities.
- Small Business and Nonprofit Assistance: Providing support to help local businesses and organizations recover and rebuild.
- County and City Storm Mitigation Projects: Investing in infrastructure improvements to enhance resilience against future storms.
READ: DeSantis Awards Over $14.5 Million For Florida Job Growth, Boosting Aviation, Manufacturing
According to federal guidelines, a majority of the CDBG-DR funds must benefit individuals with low to moderate incomes (up to 80 percent of the Area Median Income, which is $83,450 for a family of four). However, many programs will also be accessible to homeowners and renters earning up to 120 percent of the Area Median Income ($125,160 for a family of four).
Pinellas County is actively encouraging public participation in shaping the final action plan. Residents can access the full draft plan and a slideshow presentation, as well as provide feedback, online at recover.pinellas.gov. The draft plan will be available for online comments from today, April 23, until May 23, 2025.
In addition to the online portal, the Pinellas County Board of County Commissioners will review the draft plan during their meeting on Tuesday, May 6, at 9:30 a.m. in the Palm Room at 333 Chestnut Street, Clearwater.
To further facilitate public engagement, the county will host several public meetings, both in person and online:
- Thursday, April 24, 6-8 p.m. (North County): Harbor Hall/White Chapel, 1190 Georgia Avenue, Palm Harbor.
- Tuesday, May 6, 9:30 a.m.: (Board of County Commission Meeting) 333 Chestnut Street, Palm Room, Clearwater.
- Zoom Meetings: Links available at recover.pinellas.gov/meetings.
- Tuesday, May 13, 11 a.m.
- Thursday, May 15, 6 p.m.
Following the public comment period, the action plan will be submitted to HUD for approval. Pinellas County anticipates the first programs to launch by this fall, with program rollout continuing over the next several years based on community needs and demand.
It is important to note that the City of St. Petersburg received its own direct allocation of HUD CDBG-DR funds and will manage its own recovery programs. Pinellas County’s funds will serve residents in all other cities and unincorporated areas countywide.
For ongoing updates on all storm recovery programs in Pinellas County, residents can text the word “RECOVER” to 888777 or visit recover.pinellas.gov. The county urges all affected residents and stakeholders to review the draft plan and provide their valuable input to ensure the recovery efforts effectively address the needs of the community.
Please make a small donation to the Tampa Free Press to help sustain independent journalism. Your contribution enables us to continue delivering high-quality, local, and national news coverage.
Connect with us: Follow the Tampa Free Press on Facebook and Twitter for breaking news and updates.
Sign up: Subscribe to our free newsletter for a curated selection of top stories delivered straight to your inbox.
