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Disaster recovery fund action plan open for public comment

After receiving more than 3,000 resident survey responses and completing an extensive review of data for unmet needs following the recent hurricanes, Pinellas County has published the draft action plan for the upcoming Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) program.

The draft plan outlines how the County will put people first in using $813,783,000 in federal funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

Give your feedback through May 23

You can view the full draft plan and a slideshow presentation and leave public comments at: recover.pinellas.gov. The draft plan will be available for public comment online from April 23-May 23, 2025. The plan will also be reviewed by the Pinellas County Board of County Commissioners on May 6, 2025.

After the public comment period closes, the plan will be submitted to HUD for approval with the first programs expected to launch by 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.

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 public meetings

The County will hold the following public meetings in-person and online over the next month:

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, FL 33756

Zoom 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.