City to open applications for hurricane assistance

Yahoo

22-03-2025

Eligible Tampa homeowners will be able to apply for up to $20,000 in hurricane assistance starting Monday.
Last month, city officials unanimously approved reallocating $3.2 million in state affordable housing money to address the immediate crisis created by the hurricanes. Initial applications for eligibility screening can be submitted starting at 8 a.m. Monday at tampa.gov/hurricanerelief.
Homeowners who live within city limits and meet income requirements will be able to apply for up to $20,000 for home repair reimbursement, including debris removal; up to $10,000 for insurance deductible assistance; and up to $5,000 for mortgage or utility assistance for those who were displaced or lost work. The total amount any household can receive is $20,000.
Thirty percent of the funds will be set aside for those earning 50% or less than the annual median income, another 30% for residents earning 80% or less, and the remainder will go to those earning at or below 140%.
Abbye Feeley, the city's development and economic opportunity administrator, said low-income applicants would likely be prioritized first to ensure the city meets those set-asides.
For a single person, 50% of the median would be an annual income of $33,450, 80% would be $53,500 and 140% would $93,660. For a family of four, 50% would be $47,750, 80% would be $76,400 and 140% of the median would be $133,700.
If each recipient receives the maximum amount, the initiative will reach 160 households, but Feeley said it's unclear what the needs will be at this point. The money comes from the State Housing Initiatives Partnership.
Tampa Mayor Jane Castor said the city saw over $715 million in damages from the two storms and is continuing to work to help residents recover. These funds, she said, will only cover a small portion.
'It's not going to solve all of the needs of our community, and for that, we apologize,' she said. 'We are doing everything that we can to help those individuals, families, businesses that have been devastated by these two events to get back up on their feet.'
Tampa City Council member Luis Viera, who said some residents are still sleeping on friends' couches and in recreational vehicles in front of their homes, said he plans to seek additional funding.
'This has been such a devastating time for Tampa,' he said. 'We certainly had an unanticipated one-two punch with Helene and Milton, (and) one that devastated a lot of our working class, the middle class and our blue collar backbone here in the city of Tampa. ... A lot of people in the middle class and in the working class often believe that government doesn't care about them, that government doesn't speak for them, and the government will not fight for them.'
An initial pre-application will consist of questions to ensure that potential recipients are eligible.
Mobile homes, second homes (including non-homesteaded and rental properties), properties that are foreclosed or have liens or judgments on them are ineligible.
Feeley said once approved, residents will receive a full application, which will require documentation of expenses and will be processed by the private company ICF.
Home repairs would require evidence of being done through a homeowner building permit or a contractor. Homeowners would need to provide receipts and proof of filing an insurance claim, as well as any payments received from claims if they have insurance.
Mortgage assistance applicants will need to provide a recent mortgage statement and proof of home displacement or lost wages and that they are at least 31 days past due on mortgage payments. Mortgage holders who were behind on payments before the hurricanes are not eligible.
Insurance deductible applicants will need to provide proof of submitting assistance applications with the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the insurance claim payout and payments made to contractors.
Feeley estimates it will take 30 days for residents to receive payments once approved. She said payments will either be reimbursements for expenses paid or due or go directly to a mortgage lender.