Tampa makes $3.2 million fund available to those impacted by hurricanes
City officials unanimously approved using $3.2 million to make up to $20,000 in grants available to income-eligible households impacted by hurricanes Helene and Milton.
The funds come through a partnership with the State Housing Initiatives Partnership and the private company ICF, and are expected to reach anywhere from 160-642 impacted residents.
Residents will soon 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.
Thirty percent of the funds will be set aside for those earning 50% or less than the annual median income. Another 30% will be set aside for residents earning 80% or less than the annual median income, while the remainder will go to those earning at or below 140% of the annual median income.
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.
Residents are urged to collect pay stubs or income statements, receipts for repair work and other proof of financial hardship.
Abbye Feeley, the city's Development and Economic Opportunity administrator, said a public-facing portal where residents can apply would be open no later than April 1.
'I don't want to put out something that's half-baked because that's not fair to our residents,' she said.
Council member Luis Viera reminded the council that he raised the idea of making additional funds available to residents the week after Hurricane Milton. He said the funds are a good start but that more is needed.
'This should really just be the beginning of our commitment that we're going to have to this area to assist them again,' he said.
Council member Bill Carlson also called the funds a good 'symbolic gesture,' but said they weren't enough.
'It's barely going to touch anybody,' he said. '...Even if we pay to renovate people's homes, the floods are going to come right back. We've got to fix the underlying problems.'
Carlson said the city should look to start securing other sources of funding.
Council member Lynn Hurtak said at a future workshop, the council planned to examine unused funds from the past budget year and hoped to be able to contribute more to this effort.
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