Pasco County approves draft $585 million disaster-recovery action plan; staff to submit to HUD

The Pasco County Board of County Commissioners voted June 17 to approve and transmit a draft disaster-recovery action plan to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development as the county begins the next step in accessing roughly $585 million in federal recovery funds.

County Chief of Staff Joanna Cheshire presented the draft plan to the board, saying the plan reflects more than a year of community outreach, 122 public comments and coordination with municipal and regional partners. Cheshire said staff intends to send the plan to HUD by the end of the week and to pursue federal review and an eventual grant agreement that could allow Pasco to begin spending on programs this year and into 2025.

The plan lays out funding priorities across housing repair and reconstruction, mitigation projects and infrastructure. Senior program administrator Marcy Sperg told commissioners that the county will publicize program rules and launch application windows once HUD and state reviews are complete. “For residents who have already started repairs, reimbursement is part of the program,” Sperg said, and she advised residents to begin organizing paperwork now — receipts, income documents and other records that will be needed for applications.

County leaders and staff stressed the plan’s flexibility and noted it is the start of a multiyear effort. Cheshire and staff said project lists will be updated annually and that the county will release implementation details, policies and an applicant guide after it secures implementation support through a pending procurement for an implementation consultant.

Commissioners praised the outreach and urged careful vetting of development partners when the housing programs launch. Commissioner Waitman said large multifamily developers will be “circling” for opportunities and asked staff to review potential partners closely. Commissioners also flagged the need to ensure preservation of neighborhood character and to prioritize high-quality design and siting for future housing projects.

County staff said HUD reviewers had given favorable feedback on Pasco’s submission during pre-submission conversations. Staff declined to promise specific award dates, but told the board the county hopes to receive HUD approval and a grant agreement this summer-to-fall, noting program rollout timelines depend on HUD and state signoffs. Sperg repeated that residents who need reimbursement should begin assembling documentation now so they can apply promptly once application windows open.

The board approved the motion to send the draft action plan to HUD. The vote was unanimous from commissioners present.

If approved and funded, the county plans programs for homeowner repair, elevation and reconstruction; land acquisition to support affordable housing and mitigation; small-business recovery and workforce development; and regional infrastructure projects. Staff said more detailed eligibility rules — including income limits and documentation requirements — will be published before applications open.

Forward-looking work includes publishing program guides, standing up application intake at libraries and other county facilities, and coordinating outreach for residents without reliable internet access. County staff also said they will work with the property appraiser, tax collector and other partners to include targeted mailers and outreach materials to affected property owners.

The board’s action formally authorizes staff to submit the draft action plan to HUD and to proceed with next steps in preparing program policies and outreach materials.