The St. Petersburg City Council on Oct. 2 unanimously approved a resolution to accept $159,884,000 in Community Development Block Grant – Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and to appropriate the remaining balance for local recovery programs.

Aubrey Phillips, the city’s strategic initiatives and grants director, told council the grant is intended “to support long term recovery and resilience in response to federally declared disasters,” and that HUD’s allocation notice lists the storms covered as “hurricanes Bridal and Helene.” Phillips said staff have requested HUD guidance on whether residents affected by Hurricane Milton can be included.

Of the total award, the city previously appropriated $12,950,000 and requested appropriation of the remaining $146,930,000. Phillips said the grant requires at least 70% of funds to benefit low- and moderate-income households, the period of performance is six years, and funds become available after the countersigned grant agreement is returned by HUD. “We are requesting today authorization to accept $159,884,000 in CDBG-DR funds from HUD,” Phillips said.

Staff highlighted three early implementation priorities: a residential recovery and elevation program, a public infrastructure mitigation program, and disaster relief reimbursements. To speed delivery the city plans a hybrid implementation model that combines new grant-funded staff with existing city staff and external implementation vendors; Horn was named as the primary vendor for residential delivery. Phillips said the city is targeting a November launch for residential recovery and disaster relief payments and is finalizing program guidelines and an intake portal.

Council members pressed staff on outreach, eligibility expectations and coordination with Pinellas County. Phillips and other staff said they are building a partner toolkit for community organizations, coordinating messaging with the county, and emphasizing in outreach that most programs prioritize households at or below HUD low- to moderate-income thresholds. Staff reported 326 signups on the city list for program notifications (a figure that includes contractors and community groups), and another city official said more than 100 households remain in a local queue awaiting assistance from the city’s We Are Saint Pete fund.

Phillips also told council HUD issued guidance on Sept. 29 indicating disaster recovery programs are funded by multi-year appropriations and would not be delayed by a federal government shutdown.

Council approved the staff recommendation to accept the grant, appropriate funds to the CDBG-DR fund (Fund 1118) and to authorize execution of required documents. The motion passed unanimously.