Pinellas commissioners review final plan for $800M in hurricane aid
PINELLAS COUNTY, Fla. (WFLA) — Pinellas County commissioners lay out their plan to spend $813 million in storm recovery money. While the plan isn't final, it's based off input from the community.
Lingering damage from hurricanes Helene and Milton is obvious around the county. Pinellas leaders say there's an estimated $5.2 billion of damage.
Hurricane season is just a month away. Are you prepared?
Diane Stephens is one of many waiting to get back into their homes while bracing for the start of another storm season.
'So, I was trying to find something, a grant or something that would help me, because I'm ready to get in my home,' she explains.
According to the county commission, housing accounts for 78% of the remaining unmet needs. County Administrator Matthew Spoor says, '$800 million is a lot of money, we can all agree on that, right? It's still not enough. It's not enough money to do everything we need to do for Pinellas County to recover.'
The plan is the product of more than 3,000 resident surveys. The final draft of the plan includes:
$599 million for housing
$106 million for infrastructure
$32 million for economic revitalization
$32 million for public services
Stephens wants a more immediate option to return home. She explains, 'I'm hoping that I can get assistance before this comes about, but, at least I know they've got this coming.'
Commissioners are accepting public feedback on the plan's final draft through May 23. You can review the plan and submit input at recover.pinellas.gov.
When the feedback period ends, county leaders will submit the final plan to HUD for approval. They plan to roll out some of the aid and programs in the fall.
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