St. Petersburg Secures $160 Million for Hurricane Recovery

News Summary

St. Petersburg has successfully acquired $159.9 million in funding for disaster recovery efforts due to Hurricanes Helene and Milton. This significant financial boost from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development aims to support local communities and businesses, storm-harden city facilities, and assist residents facing hardships. Moreover, the entire Pinellas County will receive $813.8 million to aid recovery efforts, though patience may be required as fund distribution follows a HUD-approved plan.

St. Petersburg Rakes in $160 Million for Disaster Recovery Efforts!

St. Petersburg is buzzing with excitement as the city has secured a whopping $159.9 million dedicated to recovery efforts following the devastation caused by Hurricanes Helene and Milton! This funding is part of a broader initiative unveiled by the presidential administration on Tuesday and represents a significant boost for both local communities and businesses still reeling from the impacts of the storms.

What’s the Funding For?

The funds are part of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) revamped Community Block Grant – Disaster Recovery program. In simpler terms, this funding will be used to storm-harden various city facilities, support struggling businesses, and assist residents who experienced hardships during the hurricanes. Quite frankly, it’s a lifeline for many folks in the area!

But that’s not all. Pinellas County, as a whole, is set to receive $813.8 million, which includes the funds earmarked specifically for St. Petersburg. This is great news, as it means plenty of resources will flow into the community!

How Will the Funding be Distributed?

During a recent city council committee meeting, Amy Foster, the housing and neighborhood services administrator, outlined the exciting news regarding the funding. However, she did mention a little catch: it might take a while for the bulk of the money to actually reach those in need. With past experiences in mind, she pointed out that even Lee County hasn’t disbursed over $1 billion received earlier this year. So, patience will be key.

Before local governments can get their hands on the cash, they must submit a HUD-approved plan. Once that’s done, the allocated funds can be employed for several essential purposes, including economic redevelopment, housing replacement, and assisting in mitigation efforts to prevent future disasters.

Assistance for Residents!

The funding comes with a silver lining for residents looking to rebuild and recover. The program specifically targets affordable housing repair, infrastructure strength, and financial backing for local businesses. HUD has even streamlined the application process to make it less of a headache for awardees. Isn’t that wonderful?

Additionally, St. Petersburg has already procured $432,000 in state housing assistance, which will complement the existing fund of $1.4 million dedicated to disaster assistance programming. Residents interested in cashing in on these funds must apply for FEMA aid and meet the income criteria of being below 80% of the area median income (AMI). This will make them eligible for the new disaster assistance program.

What’s on Offer?

Pending council approval, the new program may provide up to $30,000 for home storm repairs, which of course could cover things like removing those pesky, large trees that may have fallen during the storm. As of December 18, the program has already qualified 104 homeowners for disaster relief aid!

There are also additional perks on the table: recipients could receive $5,000 for insurance deductible assistance and another $10,000 aimed at helping tenants who are struggling to pay rent and utilities. The city council is even considering reallocating $500,000 from existing rehabilitation program funds to bolster the disaster assistance funding.

Community Support, A Step Forward!

$1 million mark, with contributions dedicated to helping residents and businesses affected by the recent hurricanes!

Mayor Ken Welch emphasized the importance of community solidarity in rebuilding after the devastating impact of Hurricane Helene. The storm caused significant damage through storm surges and flooding, and with this new funding, the city is well on its way to recovery.

As St. Petersburg rallies together, residents can rest assured that support is on the way. Let’s keep our fingers crossed for a swift and effective recovery!