St. Petersburg City Council Approves Hurricane Recovery Plan

News Summary

The St. Petersburg City Council has approved a draft of its Disaster Recovery Action Plan to secure nearly $160 million in funding for residents affected by Hurricanes Idalia and Helene. The plan prioritizes housing assistance and infrastructure improvements for neighborhoods facing ongoing challenges, particularly in Shore Acres, where substantial storm damage remains. Public feedback is being sought before finalizing the plan for submission to HUD, indicating the city’s commitment to long-term recovery efforts.

St. Petersburg, Florida – The St. Petersburg City Council has taken a significant step toward hurricane recovery by approving a draft of its Disaster Recovery Action Plan, which aims to secure nearly $160 million in funding to assist residents and neighborhoods impacted by Hurricanes Idalia and Helene. The approval came during a council meeting on Thursday night, highlighting the city’s commitment to recovery efforts following substantial storm damage.

The proposed funding, amounting to $159.8 million, is sourced from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) through its Community Development Block Grant program. This financial assistance is designed to support long-term recovery across affected areas, with a significant focus on facilitating housing repairs and infrastructure improvements.

As the recovery effort unfolds, it is important to note that the impact of Hurricane Helene is still being felt in the St. Petersburg community. Nine months after the storm, neighborhoods, particularly Shore Acres, continue to grapple with rebuilding challenges. More than 11,000 homes suffered flooding during the hurricane, with Shore Acres accounting for over 2,000 of those impacted residences, marking an alarming 82% of the neighborhood’s housing stock.

The draft plan is strategically structured, with approximately 66% of the allocated funds—around $105 million—earmarked for housing assistance. Furthermore, about 16% of the funds will be directed towards infrastructure projects, 12% for public services, 5% for administration, and 1% for planning purposes. These allocations are essential for addressing the pressing needs of residents and facilitating overall economic recovery.

HUD guidelines stipulate that a predominant share of the funding must aim to assist low- to moderate-income households, specifically targeting those with incomes below $83,450 for a family of four. This focus on income qualification is intended to ensure that the most vulnerable populations receive necessary support in the aftermath of the disasters.

The proposed plan encompasses a range of potential uses for the funding, including housing repairs, the reconstruction of homes, improvements to public infrastructure, and rental assistance programs. These measures are crucial as ongoing difficulties, such as persistent flooding in Shore Acres—reported even on clear days—underscore the need for immediate and effective action to aid affected residents.

Community feedback has been a vital aspect of shaping the draft plan, with public comments currently being accepted until June 23. The city has scheduled public hearings for early June, providing opportunities for both in-person and online engagement to ensure that community voices are heard and considered. City leaders have stressed the importance of ensuring that the eligibility requirements for grant programs effectively meet the needs of all impacted individuals, amid concerns raised by local residents.

Following the public feedback process, the city expects to submit the final action plan to HUD in July, with the hope of launching grant programs shortly thereafter. The estimated overall storm-related damage from the hurricanes is reported to be approximately $1.5 billion, necessitating a robust response to support recovery initiatives.

The Disaster Recovery Action Plan represents a concerted effort to not only address the immediate aftermath of the hurricanes but also to lay the groundwork for a resilient future, focusing on strategic investments in housing and infrastructure to facilitate sustainable recovery for the entire St. Petersburg community.

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Additional Resources

• Fox 13 News: St. Pete Officials Reveal $160M Disaster Recovery Plan
• WFLA: St. Pete Awarded More than $150M in Funding for Hurricane Recovery
• Hoodline: St. Petersburg Allocates $159.8M Federal Grant for Hurricane Recovery
• Google Search: St. Petersburg hurricane recovery
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Hurricane recovery