Hillsborough County moves ahead with $709M HUD disaster recovery award, approves housing program and seven infrastructure projects

Hillsborough County commissioners on Feb. 18 received a status briefing on a U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) award and approved several related actions, including a single-family housing program and seven initial infrastructure projects.

Rob Hendrickson, management-and-budget official and the county's CDBG-DR program manager, told the board the county has an award "just north of $709,000,000," that funds must be expended by May 15, 2031, and that 70% of the grant must show benefit to low- and moderate-income (LMI) individuals. "This is a reimbursement-based grant," Hendrickson said, adding the county will be reimbursed as projects proceed.

Audrey Ziegler, social services director and housing program lead, presented the proposed single-family housing program. She said about $211,000,000 is dedicated to single-family repair and replacement, with eligibility initially set at households up to 80% of area median income (AMI) and the action-plan amendment allowing expansion to as high as 120% AMI "as funding permits." Ziegler estimated the program could serve roughly 1,000 households and described three assistance categories: reimbursement (minimum about $10,000 to $50,000 for eligible work already done), repair (up to $150,000 in construction work), and reconstruction/replacement (up to $350,000).

The county also proposed seven infrastructure projects prioritized for speed-to-construction and HUD compliance, including stormwater and drainage improvements targeted to areas with high LMI percentages, a pump station for a closed basin affected by Hurricane Milton, and a countywide package of 25 stormwater pipe replacements. Josh Velati and consultants from BDO and Ernst & Young described the vetting criteria: disaster tieback (direct or indirect), LMI compliance, and preparedness for procurement.

Commissioners asked about safeguards against duplication of benefits and displacement. Ziegler said the county will verify ownership, inspect damage, and exclude duplication with existing HUD funds, loans, or insurance reimbursements. BDO and Ernst & Young representatives said scoring criteria for multifamily awards will include relocation protections, right-to-return provisions, and a history-of-performance review for potential grantees.

After discussion, the board made three motions: to receive the CDBG-DR report; to approve the CDBG Single-Family Housing Program (including the action-plan amendment for flexibility); and to approve the initial list of seven infrastructure projects. All motions carried 6-0.

During the separate public hearing on the county's updated inventory of real property appropriate for affordable housing, Brenda Atkins, affordable housing director, said two parcels (Sheldon Road and Grey Pines) were recommended for removal. Multiple public speakers, including local organizers and housing advocates, opposed removing Sheldon Road without ensuring the roughly $2.1 million the county paid for the parcel remains committed to affordable housing. "If the site is not suitable any longer, I respectfully ask how the $2,000,000 invested will be preserved or redirected so those funds continue advancing affordable housing goals," said Lois Price, speaking for a faith-based housing partnership. Commissioners approved the inventory update and the removals by recorded vote 6-0; speakers requested that funds be reallocated to future affordable-housing developments.

What happens next: staff said the single-family application portal is slated to go live May 1, with first reimbursement checks anticipated in July and repair work starting in August; program administration will use an intake center, a call center and community resource centers to assist applicants. The county emphasized that the grant is reimbursement-based, requires HUD approval of action-plan amendments and a 30-day public comment period followed by up to a 45-day HUD review.

Actions at a glance: the board voted 6-0 to receive the CDBG-DR report; to approve the Single-Family Housing Program and related action-plan amendment flexibility; to approve seven initial infrastructure projects; and to adopt the updated affordable-housing real property inventory with removal of Sheldon Road and Grey Pines.