Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Disaster Recovery topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Pinellas outlines People First recovery programs: 3,553 applications received, first closings expected before Christmas
Summary
County staff reported that five People First housing programs launched Oct. 20 and have received more than 3,553 applications; staff expected several disaster-relief and homebuyer payments to close before Christmas and described an RFP and procurement timetable for general contractors to begin repairs by February.
Pinellas County managers updated commissioners on the People First suite of disaster-recovery housing programs and the county’s CDBG-DR recovery work.
Matt Spore and Erica Henry said the county launched five housing programs on Oct. 20 and has received more than 3,553 applications in under 60 days. Henry said applications came from across the county (including barrier islands) and that about 75% were submitted online; staff set up two intake centers and ongoing pop-up outreach events to assist residents. The programs include disaster-relief reimbursement, homeowner reimbursement, homebuyer assistance (up to $80,000), local landlord rehabilitation/reconstruction and homeowner rehabilitation and reconstruction.
BDO and Pinellas Recovers staff reported the general-contractor RFP was published Dec. 5 and that scoring and selection would occur Jan. 12–30 with contract awards in early February and construction 'hammer swinging' by February. Staff said they expected to push several payments out before the holidays, including three homebuyer closings totaling $240,000 (three awards at $80,000 each) and several disaster-relief payments, and they emphasized a typical program 'fallout' rate of 60–70% on ineligible or withdrawn applications.
Commissioners sought clarifications about ineligible applications (many were from neighboring counties or applicants over income limits), outreach to mobile-home communities and targeted canvassing, and next steps for inspections and damage assessments; staff said they are conducting damage inspections, coordinating with building departments and starting outreach to mobile-home parks.
Next steps: staff will continue outreach, begin construction with selected general contractors in February, and provide weekly/monthly updates as the program ramps.
