Tampa will allocate $3.2 million to support victims of Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton. The city council unanimously approved these funds, which will assist income-eligible households with up to $20,000 in mortgage assistance, home repairs, and insurance deductibles.
According to a report from Tampa Business Journal, funding targets families earning 140% or less of the area median income (AMI). Specifically, 30% will go to those earning 50% AMI or less, another 30% for those making 80% AMI or less, and 40% for those earning up to 140% AMI, corresponding to annual incomes between $33,450 and $93,660.
Abbye Feeley, Tampa’s development and economic opportunity administrator, aims to open the application portal by March 15, with a firm deadline of April 1.
Councilmember Luis Viera stressed the need for ongoing support for residents, especially in North Tampa, which suffered severe flooding. He highlighted the time taken to secure the funding, saying, “It took us 125 days to secure $3 million. If I’m a bit emotional about that, I have cause.”
Viera and County Commissioner Harry Cohen held a press conference to discuss recovery efforts, highlighting the struggles of residents who are paying both mortgages and rent while waiting for repairs.
Feeley noted that conversations with residents have emphasized the need for the funding to alleviate some burdens. However, Councilmember Bill Carlson argued that the $3 million isn’t enough, stating, “Even if we renovate homes, the floods will return. We need to fix the underlying problems.”
Hillsborough County is currently undergoing an independent analysis to assess its preparedness for future storms. The firm Black & Veatch is evaluating the impacts of hurricanes Helene and Milton to identify potential improvements for future disaster responses.
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