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BCC approves $813 million Disaster Recovery Action Plan

Virtual meetings for County’s CDBG-DR plan scheduled for May 13 and 15

The Pinellas County Board of County Commissioners Tuesday approved a plan for $813,783,000 in federal funds designated to help local people and communities recover from recent hurricanes.

The Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) Draft Action Plan outlines a series of programs focused first on helping people rebuild homes and recover financially, supporting businesses and nonprofits, and restoring damaged infrastructure.

The Commission approved the draft plan delegating County Administrator Barry A. Burton authority to update it based on additional public feedback or requirements by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).  

The draft plan remains available for public review and comment through May 23, with two virtual public meetings coming up on May 13 and 15. After the public comment period, the County will submit the plan to HUD for approval with programs potentially launching as early as this fall.

The proposed programs and budgets in the draft plan will inform the County’s priorities, but the plan can be adjusted over time based on demand for specific assistance, with programs rolling out over the next several years. Pinellas County is focused on expediting HUD approval to get help to people in need as quickly as possible.

Review the plan and give feedback

You can view the full draft plan, a slideshow of key points, and leave public comments at: recover.pinellas.gov.

Proposed programs include:

  • Home Rehabilitation or Reconstruction
  • Home Repair Reimbursements
  • Homebuyer Assistance
  • Mobile Homeowner Relocation
  • Local Landlord Affordable Rental Housing Assistance
  • Disaster Relief Payments (rent, mortgage, utilities)
  • Small Business and Nonprofit Assistance
  • County and City Storm Mitigation Projects

Per federal guidelines, a majority of the funds must benefit people with low to moderate incomes, up to 80 percent of the Area Median Income ($83,450 for a family of four), but many programs will be available for homeowners or renters who earn up to 120 percent of the Area Median Income ($125,160 for a family of four). 

Upcoming virtual public meetings

Links at recover.pinellas.gov/meetings

  • Tuesday, May 13, 11 a.m.
  • Thursday, May 15, 6 p.m.

Pinellas County’s storm recovery funds will serve residents in all cities countywide except for the City of St. Petersburg, which received its own HUD CDBG-DR allocation.

For text updates on all storm recovery programs in Pinellas County, text the word “RECOVER” to 888777, or visit recover.pinellas.gov.