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Residents press Largo for aid after tornado damage; staff points to SBA and 'Housing for All' policies
Summary
Residents of Bay Ranch and other neighborhoods described storm and tornado damage and asked the city for fundraising and recovery assistance. Staff said the city is connecting residents to the Small Business Administration and other resources and reminded speakers of recent policy changes to increase rebuilding options for mobile-home residents.
At the public-comment portion of the July 15 Largo City Commission meeting several residents described property damage from a recent tornado and asked the city to explore fundraising or other direct assistance options for low-income and fixed‑income households.
Mindy Jordan, a private-duty nurse from Bay Ranch, said about 160 homes were affected in her neighborhood and described insurance denials for older manufactured homes. "We have people that are on fixed incomes, a lot of elderly residents that have a lot of damage with no insurance coverage," she said, asking whether the city could help organize fundraising beyond food drives.
Staff response: SBA and Housing for All City staff and the city manager said the city has contracted with the Small Business Administration to provide loan application assistance; SBA representatives are taking applications at Largo library locations. Staff clarified the city does not maintain a dedicated disaster‑recovery assistance fund but said staff can compile lists of affected residents and connect them with county and state resources. The city further noted existing programs and recent policy changes intended to increase rebuilding options for mobile-home residents who own their lots.
Related policy context At the meeting a commenter, Matthew Faustini, urged commissioners to tie disaster recovery to Largo’s recently adopted "Housing for All" plan. Faustini described past changes that permit more flexible rebuilding options (tiny homes, modular, manufactured homes) for mobile‑home residents who own their land and encouraged staff and commissioners to ensure those policy tools are used in recovery to expand rebuilding options.
What residents said "A lot of people were turned down because they're on fixed income," Mindy Jordan said, adding that FEMA did not declare the event a federal disaster for some claims and that many residents lack adequate insurance.
Next steps Staff asked residents to provide a list of addresses and contact information so staff can coordinate resource referrals. The city will continue to share information about SBA assistance and other available programs.
Sources: Largo City Commission transcript, July 15, 2025 (public comment and staff responses).
