The City of St. Petersburg expects to help 98 households rebuild storm-damaged homes, assist 288 with eligible repairs and provide disaster relief reimbursements to an additional 784 over the next year.
Eligible homeowners can receive $375,000 for reconstruction, including elevation, $100,000 for rehabilitation and $50,000 for storm repairs completed before applying to the Sunrise St. Pete initiative. Officials plan to open applications for residential recovery and relief programs in November.
Storm-displaced homeowners and tenants can also receive $15,000 for up to six consecutive months of rent, mortgage or utility payments. Residents earning less than 80% of the area median income (AMI) can qualify for the programs.
However, the city will prioritize tenants for relief reimbursements and the lowest-earning households – particularly those with age-dependent or disabled members – for rehabilitation and reconstruction funding. Administrators and consultancy firm Horne presented their recommended program parameters to city council members at an Oct. 9 committee meeting.
“We’ve ordered it in such a way that it is the most vulnerable (people) at the top,” said Amy Foster, housing and neighborhood services administrator. “So, 50% (AMI) and below first. If we get 100 people in there, then none of those other priorities are going to be served.”
The $61 million in residential recovery and relief funding stems from a $160 million grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Foster noted that it is “the largest set-aside we have” in the Sunshine St. Pete Action Plan.
“I know that you’re already hearing from constituents before we’ve even launched the program, that how we have it set up is not the way it needs to be set up,” Foster added. “It certainly is set up the way we need to have it set up in order to be compliant with HUD.”
Horne will start processing disaster relief reimbursements in early 2026. Payments for previously completed repairs will begin arriving in the spring.
However, those approved for rehabilitation and reconstruction funding will not see awards until November 2026, at the earliest, as Horne must conduct extensive environmental reviews and complete damage inspections. The firm will begin releasing marketing and outreach materials this week.
Horne has hired the first two of 10 case managers and is developing the application portal. The firm and city will also operate two service centers, with 1914 4th St. N. serving as the primary location and the Enoch Davis Center providing a satellite facility.
ALSO READ: City council finalizes $160 million Sunrise St. Pete plan
“We’ve begun to look at targeted outreach,” said Tyler Bridges, senior manager at Horne. “Looking at those areas that are particularly vulnerable. We’ve already begun to drill way down and actually identify block-by-block areas … we would target actual door-to-door engagement.”
Foster stressed that people should not wait to apply once the portal opens. Officials could close a 90-day window in 10, according to the number of eligible applications received. “So, people should be getting their affairs in order right now,” she said.
Foster also urged residents to receive after-the-fact permits to maintain their eligibility for relief reimbursements. City Development Administrator James Corbett said the Mayor’s Office would again waive permitting penalties for a brief period.
The ongoing federal government shutdown has cast some uncertainty over when the city will begin accepting applications and open the service centers. Foster noted officials cannot receive HUD reimbursements until they have a “fully executed grant agreement.”
“We’re hiring people; we’re acting as if we are ready to start the program,” she added. “But we also have to be cautious and recognize that we’re in challenging times.”
Horne will soon issue a request for proposals from general contractors and select three to five companies that will receive hands-on training specific to St. Petersburg. The city will also enlist local businesses to serve as subcontractors.
“There’s an opportunity to be able to use this as some economic development as well, and keep those dollars in the city,” said Councilmember Brandi Gabbard.
The committee generally agreed with the established program parameters. Councilmember Mike Harting said he was impressed with “how hard it is to give away money, especially this amount of money.”
Horne and administrators recommended a requirement that households receiving rehabilitation or reconstruction funding must remain in their homes for three or five years, respectively. Landlords with one to four units are eligible for the program if they maintain affordability over the same period.
Gabbard, at Council Chair Copley Gerdes’ behest, motioned to change the occupancy threshold for homeowners to one year. While multiple officials said landlords are unlikely to receive any funding, she also requested that eligibility requires them to maintain affordability for a decade.
Committee members unanimously approved the motion. The full city council will vote on the changes Thursday.
