Hillsborough County seeking input on spending $709M in hurricane recovery funds
Hillsborough hurricane recovery grant survey
After recent hurricanes caused significant widespread damage, Hillsborough County is hosting a series of meetings and taking online feedback centered on spending $709 million in federal grant money. FOX 13’s Regina Gonzalez reports.
TAMPA, Fla. - Hillsborough County officials are asking for input from residents on how more than $700 million in federal aid should be spent after a string of recent hurricanes.
Community Development Block Grant
By the numbers:
The county says it expects to receive $709,324,000 in Community Development Block Grant funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
That money will be used for recovery and mitigation efforts following Hurricanes Idalia, Debby, Helene and Milton, all of which impacted the area within the past two years.
Hillsborough County has been impacted by multiple hurricanes in recent years, leading to more than $700 million in federal grant money.
The county's draft plan shows that at least 70% of the funds will be designated for low-to-moderate income households.
More than half the total funding is earmarked for housing programs, including:
- Home repair and replacement
- New construction
- Infrastructure upgrades (i.e., stormwater system and drainage improvement)
READ: Tampa prepares for the 2025 hurricane season using lessons from last year's back-to-back storms
Public comment and education meetings
What you can do:
The county is hosting a series of public comment hearings and education meetings this month to gather input, all of which are scheduled from 6-8 p.m.
Public comment hearings:
- June 10: Emanuel P. Johnson Recreation Center, 5855 S. 78th St., Tampa
- June 12: Maureen Gauzza Library, 11211 Countryway Blvd., Tampa
- June 13: Lennard High School, 2342 E. Shell Point Rd., Ruskin
- June 18: Sayde Gibbs Martin Community Center, 302 S. Maryland Ave., Plant City
Education meetings:
- June 9: Jan Kaminis Platt Regional Library, 3910 S. Manhattan Ave., Tampa
- June 17: Roy Haynes Park Recreation Center, 1902 S. Village Ave., Tampa
- June 23: Victor Crist Community Center, 14013 N. 22nd St., Tampa
Online survey
Hillsborough County has also launched an online survey, which will remain up through July 7. You can take the survey by clicking here.
The Source: This story was written with information from Hillsborough County Government.
STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 13 TAMPA:
- Download the FOX Local app for your smart TV
- Download FOX Local mobile app: Apple | Android
- Download the FOX 13 News app for breaking news alerts, latest headlines
- Download the SkyTower Radar app
- Sign up for FOX 13’s daily newsletter