Disaster Recovery Funding
About | Housing Disaster Assistance | Small Business Assistance
We Are St. Pete Fund + Disaster Recovery
Notice: Applications for disaster assistance are now closed. Residents in need of support are encouraged to visit Sunrise St. Pete for available services and resources
The City is committed to getting St. Pete back on its feet. Through the We Are St. Pete Fund, along with state and federal support, we’re ready to put funding directly into the community. Explore the opportunities below to give back or find programs you may be eligible for.
About the We Are St. Pete Fund
The City of St. Petersburg has partnered with the Pinellas Community Foundation to launch the We Are St. Pete Fund, the first of its kind for the City. The fund will assist in fundraising for disaster relief for residents, small businesses, and City of St. Petersburg employees recovering from Hurricanes Helene and Milton. Donors may designate their gifts. 100% of the donations received will directly support those impacted.
How We Got Here
- September 26, 2024: Hurricane Helene made landfall in FL
- October 2, 2024: We Are St. Pete Fund launched to raise funds for disaster relief after devastating effects from Helene, a partnership between the City and Pinellas Community Foundation
- October 9, 2024: Hurricane Milton made landfall in FL
How the Funds Will Help
Financial assistance will be provided through multiple targeted programs:
- Housing Disaster Assistance Program: Grants and loans up to $30,000 will help eligible households cover storm damage repairs, insurance deductibles, and rental or utility arrears.
- Small Business Disaster Assistance Program: Grants ranging from $2,500 to $15,000 will help local businesses recover from storm-related damages, replace lost inventory and equipment, and manage temporary relocation expenses.
- Employee Housing Disaster Assistance Program: Support will help City of St. Petersburg employees impacted by the hurricanes.
How to Give
Donate through the Pinellas Community Foundation below or text HOPE to 38316.
Housing Disaster Assistance Program
Funded by the We Are St. Pete Fund, State Housing Initiatives Partnership (SHIP), American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds, and U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) funds, the Housing Disaster Assistance Program aims to help low- to moderate-income households with storm damage repairs, insurance deductibles, and rental or utility arrears. Assistance is available to eligible households in the form of a grant or loan, depending on the needed assistance category.
Who is this program for
The Housing Disaster Assistance Program is designed to provide critical support to eligible St. Pete residents and City employees who live inside and outside St. Petersburg city limits that were impacted by Hurricanes Helene and Milton.
Eligibility
Eligible Activities:
Storm Damage Repairs - Tree removal, home structure repairs, and interim repairs ($30,000 limit)
Insurance Deductibles ($5,000 limit)
Rent and Utility Arrears* - up to three months of payment or $10,00 limit - whichever is less (after September 26, 2024)
Applicant Requirements
Funding is limited to households with up to 80% Area Median Income (AMI), with additional loan funding for households with up to 140% AMI. Current income limit levels can be found at www.stpete.org/incomelimits.
- One or more individuals within the household have qualified for unemployment benefits or experienced a reduction in household income, incurred significant costs, or experienced other financial hardship during or due, directly or indirectly, to Hurricane Helene and/or Milton.
- One or more individuals within the household can demonstrate a risk of experiencing homelessness or housing instability.
- Applicants must be one or more individuals who are tenants of a residential dwelling and are obligated to pay rent and/or utilities on a residential dwelling located within the city limits of St. Petersburg. Applicants may self-certify that they are renters of a residential dwelling.
- Applicants must not receive assistance for rental or utility costs from any other assistance program, including federal, state, or local, that are subject of the application. Applicants may self-certify that they have not, and do not anticipate, receiving another source of public or private subsidy or assistance subject to the attestation.
Loans
Funding for storm damage repairs (tree removal, structure repairs, and interim repairs) will be awarded as 0% interest loans of up to $30,000 with 5- or 10-year terms. Loan terms apply.
Loans will be secured by a recorded mortgage and promissory note and will be forgiven after 5 or 10 years.
- Loans up to $5,000 are forgiven in 5 years
- Loans $5,001 - $30,000 are forgiven in 10 years
Grants
Funding for insurance deductibles, rent, and utility arrears will be awarded as grants.
- Insurance Deductibles - grants of up to $5,000
- Rent and Utility Arrears - grants of up to $10,000 for up to three months of payments (after September 26, 2024)
How to Apply
Applications will be reviewed and processed on a first come, first complete application basis. Applications will be approved for funding on a first-qualified basis.
Applications are now closed.
Application must include the following:
- Completed and signed application
- Copies of FEMA approval or denial award letters and/or filed Insurance claims
- A copy of homeowners and flood insurance declarations
- If not using a City Contractor: Quotes from licensed/insured contractors must be provided when funded activities relate to contracted work
- Income Self-Certification plus 1 proof of income (e.g. most recent social security statement, 2 recent paystubs); and 1 month's bank statements from all accounts held by each Household member
- Duplication of Benefits form must be executed by all adult household members
- Social Security Benefit Verification Letter for 2025
- Written affirmation that applicant will abide by the terms of the loan agreement
Small Business Disaster Assistance Program
The Small Business Disaster Assistance Program is designed to provide critical support to eligible St. Pete businesses impacted by Hurricanes Helene and Milton.
Utilizing $200,000 from the We Are St. Pete Fund, the City of St. Petersburg seeks to capture the highest priority cases of businesses that have not yet been able to reopen or get fully back up and running due to the recent storms and their effects.
Several business needs were identified after the storms, including:
- Repairing physical property damage
- Replacing lost inventory and equipment
- Managing temporary relocation expenses
Eligibility
Applicants must meet the following eligibility requirements:
Be a business based in St. Pete – nonprofit, brick and mortar, home-based, and businesses operating out of shared commercial spaces are eligible
Independently owned and operated
No more than 50 full-time and part-time employees
In operation since Sept 15, 2024, or longer
Provide proof of eligible losses
Expected to reopen or resume full operation
Please review the guidelines for a complete list of eligibility criteria.Funding Categories
- Equipment and Inventory Damage (Shared Commercial Space and Home-Based Businesses) - $2,500
- Equipment and Inventory Damage (Brick and Mortar Businesses) - $5,000
- Structural Damage - $10,000 (Brick and Mortar Businesses)
- Equipment, Inventory, and Structural Damage (Brick and Mortar Businesses) - $15,000
Program Documents
Document Toolkit
Document Guidelines
Document FAQ
How to Apply
The application period is now closed.
For assistance on "How to Apply", see the Webinar here: Small Business Disaster Assistance Program OnDemand
Program funds will be provided to eligible businesses that submit a complete application on a first-come, first-complete basis until funds are exhausted.
For assistance with the Small Business Disaster Assistance Program, please reach out to the Economic and Workforce Development Department at 727-893-7100 or business@stpete.org.