TAMPA, Fla. – Tampa homeowners who suffered damages from Hurricanes Helene and Milton can soon apply for up to $20,000 in financial assistance, thanks to a new program launched by the City of Tampa.
Starting Monday, March 24th, pre-applications will be available online for the Hurricane Disaster Relief program, which aims to distribute $3.2 million in State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP) funds to eligible residents.
The program offers three types of assistance:
- Insurance Deductible Assistance: Up to $10,000
- Mortgage Assistance: Up to $5,000
- Cost of Repair Assistance: Up to $20,000
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Homeowners can apply for one or all three categories, with a maximum reimbursement of $20,000 per household.
“Rebuilding has been front and center of my agenda since our city was hit by these back-to-back storms last year,” said Mayor Jane Castor. “This has the potential to affect hundreds of families as they get back on their feet and prepare for our next hurricane season.”
To qualify, applicants must:
- Be homeowners within Tampa city limits.
- Have a primary homestead.
- Earn up to 140 percent of the Area Median Income (AMI), approximately $133,700 for a family of four.
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“Homeowners hit hard by hurricanes have been painfully rebuilding their lives and their homes for months on end,” said Tampa Councilman Luis Viera. “It is our hope that this recovery assistance can help these struggling residents in the journey to get settled into their homes and find some sense of normalcy.”
Applicants are encouraged to gather necessary documentation before applying. Required documents vary depending on the assistance program, but all applicants will need to provide proof of income and a government-issued photo ID for all adult household members.
Documentation Requirements:
- Insurance Deductible Assistance:
- Proof of FEMA application and results.
- Insurance claim payouts and payments to contractors.
- Government-issued photo IDs.
- Mortgage Assistance:
- Recent mortgage statement.
- Proof of home displacement or lost wages.
- Proof of mortgage delinquency (at least 31 days past due, occurring after the hurricanes).
- Government issued photo IDs.
- Cost of Repair Assistance:
- Receipts and invoices for payments.
- Proof of filed insurance claim (if applicable) and insurance payouts.
- Government issued photo IDs.
Residents are advised to visit the city’s website on March 24th for pre-application information and further details.
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