Disaster Recovery Program

The Sunrise St. Pete initiative is the City of St. Petersburg’s official Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) program, funded through a $159.8 million allocation from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). This funding supports long-term recovery efforts for residents impacted by the 2023 and 2024 Hurricanes Idalia and Helene. The program aims to restore storm-damaged housing and mitigate future displacement, prioritizing equitable recovery for low- and moderate-income households. This initiative provides several types of assistance tailored to specific needs. Rehabilitation, reconstruction, and elevation funding supports homeowners and small landlords (owning up to four units) in repairing or rebuilding their properties. A key priority is given to owner-occupied homes in low- and moderate-income neighborhoods. Eligible residents may also apply for reimbursement of previously incurred, fully permitted, and code-compliant repair costs. An additional provision includes disaster relief payments to help tenants and homeowners cover rent, mortgage, or utility expenses for up to six consecutive months, if they demonstrate storm-related financial hardship. Eligibility is determined according to HUD guidelines and focuses primarily on residents earning up to 80% of the area median income (AMI), although limited support is also available for those earning up to 120% of AMI. Applicants must have resided within the St. Petersburg city limits during the qualifying storm events and experienced either structural damage or financial hardship. Eligibility may vary based on the type of assistance sought, and detailed criteria will be made available in official program guidelines. Applications for the Sunrise St. Pete program will open on December 15. Residents may apply online or in person. The application process follows a “No Wrong Door” approach, where a single application routes applicants to the most relevant aid based on their individual circumstances. Required documentation includes identification, proof of residency and ownership, income verification, evidence of damage or related expenses, and, for reimbursement requests, official permits for completed repairs. Program applicants are encouraged to begin assembling necessary documentation in advance of the launch date. The City emphasizes the importance of having permits in place for any past repairs, as only fully permitted and code-compliant work qualifies for reimbursement. Questions can be directed to the Sunrise St. Pete Call Center, available Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., via phone at 727-591-2990 or email at sunrise@stpete.org. Public input was instrumental in shaping the City’s Final Action Plan and will continue to guide the program as implementation progresses. This initiative reflects St. Petersburg’s commitment to equitable disaster recovery and housing resiliency, offering a comprehensive, needs-based framework for recovery and rebuilding.

Ensure all repair work is fully permitted before applying for reimbursement.