Pinellas County staff briefed the Board on the county’s Community Development Block Grant‑Disaster Recovery (CDBG‑DR) action plan and on related federal Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) discussions. The presenters said plan submission and rulemaking would move in phases and that staff plans to prioritize limited funds for low‑ and moderate‑income households and severely impacted properties.

What staff said: County staff told commissioners the CDBG‑DR action plan will be submitted for approval as a framework that lets the county stand up programs this fall. The briefing distinguished the CDBG‑DR rules under HUD from a separate Homeowner Assistance/HMGP program (the transcript discussed an Elevate Florida HMGP stream) that would be administered with different eligibility rules. Staff said the county asked for an extension to align program rules and added they are evaluating options — including prioritizing applicants who meet HUD’s low‑ and moderate‑income (LMI) thresholds or households with substantial damage.

Commissioner concerns and outreach needs: Multiple commissioners and staff said outreach to residents of manufactured‑home communities has been inadequate given the scale of damage. Commissioner Scott and county staff described many residents as "frightened" and confused about demolition and condemnation determinations. County staff acknowledged phone volume is heavy and case management is needed: "They feel that the county is taking their homes and they're going to have no place to live," a commissioner said, summarizing calls from residents. Staff said they will develop case management and targeted outreach teams and will return to the commission with operational proposals before programs roll out.

Key program questions: Commissioners pressed whether the county could apply program rules preferentially to substantially damaged homes and mobile‑home residents, and whether waivers (for example on the 50% substantial damage threshold for manufactured homes) could be pursued. Staff said some waivers may be sought but answers await federal and state guidance and the final HMGP details.

Funding and constraints: The board discussed a separate funding pool (federal HMGP/Elevate Florida) that is being discussed at state level; staff said Pinellas has the region’s largest sign‑ups for the state program but had not yet committed county CDBG‑DR funds to any state initiative. Staff signaled they will try to target CDBG‑DR dollars to LMI households and substantially damaged structures where possible rather than remitting funds back to the state for redistribution.

Next steps and public information: Staff committed to further briefings and to building a clearer community outreach and case management program. Commissioners asked for more rapid, visible on‑site engagement — neighborhood teams and local briefings — so affected residents understand program timelines, eligibility rules and how to apply.

Ending: No formal action was taken. County staff said they will return with program guidelines and outreach plans once federal and state guidance is clearer and the county finalizes internal policy options.