Pinellas officials outline steps to spend $813 million in HUD disaster recovery money, warn federal pause could slow aid

Pinellas County officials told commissioners on Jan. 28 that the county has begun planning how to use $813,000,000 in U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) disaster recovery funding and that hiring a consultant will be the first step in creating programs aimed largely at low‑ and moderate‑income residents.

County staff said the HUD money must follow federal rules and that, under HUD’s general definitions, programs generally must serve households at or below 80% of area median income (AMI). A staff member working the recovery update said the county will need to develop a program design and tracking systems that demonstrate households served meet those income tests. "HUD's definition goes up to 80% of area median income," staff member Bruce said, noting examples for a family of four and a single person.

Why it matters: The funding is large and targeted — the county said 70% of the award must benefit low‑ and moderate‑income residents — but federal compliance could shape who is eligible, what projects win support and how quickly money reaches people who remain displaced after recent storms.

County staff cautioned commissioners that HUD rules include an "immediate needs" category and the agency allows waivers in specific cases, but documentation and program design will determine when waivers are allowed. "There's an art to creating the program," a county staff member said, explaining the need to balance program flexibility with the administrative tracking HUD requires.

What staff said: Staff reported wide ongoing recovery work. A county staff speaker said that about 2,237 households remained in FEMA temporary shelter hotel placements and that FEMA can transition households with seven days’ notice; the county urged residents who receive FEMA letters to visit the Disaster Recovery Center at the Enoch Davis Center by Jan. 31 or to call FEMA directly. The county said 600 households had applied for the county’s income‑eligible hurricane home repair program (up to $30,000) and that the state’s Elevate Florida portal was expected to open in coming weeks.

Staff member Kathy described FEMA placements and inspections and said FEMA had placed 20 households under direct lease agreements and had 981 households pending placement. She also said FEMA had 338 travel‑trailer site inspections to complete and was working with the county to identify staging sites for trailers.

Commissioners’ focus and concerns: Several commissioners pressed staff about whether the HUD programs could help residents on barrier islands and renters in impacted apartment complexes. Commissioner Lavella asked what income thresholds would be used to determine eligibility; county staff (Bruce) replied that HUD’s low‑and‑moderate‑income threshold generally means up to 80% of AMI, with exact dollar amounts varying by household size.

Commissioner Flowers urged staff to explore census‑tract approaches used in other programs that can qualify island neighborhoods if the census tract meets low‑moderate income thresholds.

Federal pause and next steps: Staff also warned commissioners about a contemporaneous federal pause on new grants that could slow some program activity or reimbursement. A county staff update listed multiple federal funding streams and projects that could be affected by the pause, including FEMA reimbursements, HUD CDBG‑DR funds, Restore Act and airport project dollars.

County staff recommended approving a competitive contract to bring in consulting firms to help quickly design eligible programs and manage the substantial reporting and outreach work HUD requires. Staff said the consultant will help prepare a 90‑day program framework the county must develop and will support later, more detailed program rules.

What’s next: Staff said they will post preliminary information about the HUD program online by Jan. 31 and will use outreach channels such as a recovery text line (text "RECOVER" to 888‑777) and the county recovery website. Staff urged residents with FEMA questions to use DisasterAssistance.gov or the FEMA hotline for case help.

Ending: Commissioners did not vote on program design at the meeting; staff said they will return with consultant recommendations and program specifics once the competitive selection is complete and more federal guidance is available.