Lee County begins 30-day public comment on $100.683 million CDBG-DR action plan for hurricanes Helene and Milton

Lee County has published a draft CDBG‑DR action plan and opened a 30‑day public comment period after HUD awarded the county approximately $100,683,000 to address unmet recovery needs from hurricanes Helene and Milton.

County staff said the draft will remain open for public comment while staff holds two public meetings on March 5 — one for residents and one for local government and nonprofit stakeholders — and said the board will consider the final action plan on April 1 before submitting it to HUD. "HUD announced that Lee County would receive a hundred million $683,000 in CDBG‑DR funds to address unmet recovery needs," County staff member Jeanne Sutton said during the presentation.

The draft plan includes recommended allocations that staff described as: roughly $43,000,000 for housing rehabilitation, reconstruction and elevation; $13,000,000 for mitigation and infrastructure projects that may pair with other federal funding requiring a local match; $24,000,000 for public facilities and infrastructure repairs; $15,000,000 for public services to address behavioral health needs; and a 5% administrative/contingency allocation. Sutton said the housing program will follow the Lee Cares model used after Hurricane Ian, with some changes: households with rehabilitation costs up to $50,000 would receive funds as grants rather than soft second mortgages, and the program would allow reconstruction and elevation assistance for repetitive‑loss properties even if they do not meet a substantial‑damage determination.

Sutton told the board the county will do direct outreach, including mailings and coordination with municipalities and the county’s floodplain manager, and that assisted households must meet income eligibility at or below 80% of area median income. Commissioners moved and seconded the item and carried approval after public comment. Resident speakers asked the county to ensure transparency and direct outreach for heavily impacted households in their communities.

The timeline staff presented anticipates submitting a final action plan to HUD this spring and a potential grant agreement in the summer of 2025. Staff also noted the plan can be amended during the grant period if community needs evolve or project feasibility changes.