Pinellas People First sets programs
The People First Hurricane Recovery Programs opened to applicants on Oct. 20 to help low- to -moderate income residents repair or replace homes, prevent long-term displacement, and make housing safer and more affordable, Pinellas County has announced.
The $813 million disaster program will focus first on vulnerable homeowners and renters.
People First programs include home repair/reconstruction, repair reimbursement, homebuyer assistance, disaster payments and support for landlords to rent units as affordable housing.
The programs are funded by the largest federal storm recovery grant awarded to any local government in Florida in the aftermath of Hurricanes Helene and Milton – a total of $813,783,000 in Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The grant applies to damage from these two hurricanes as well as Hurricane Idalia in 2023.
The program is available to all Pinellas residents except those in St. Petersburg, which is launching its own programs in November.
Pinellas residents can apply online at recover.pinellas.gov, by phone or in-person.
First responders, JWB set drive
CLEARWATER — Normally members of St. Petersburg Fire Rescue save lives by serving as first responders to emergency calls, but recently the SPFR administrative team volunteered their time to pack bags filled with items designed to save babies’ lives during sleep.
It’s all part of Sleep Baby Safely, a campaign created by the Juvenile Welfare Board (JWB) that has cut infant sleep-related deaths in half since it launched in 2018. The goal is to ensure all babies can celebrate their first birthdays.
Over a 10-year period, Pinellas lost more than 100 babies from suffocation due to unsafe sleep practices — that number represents six empty kindergarten classrooms.
“Suffocation from unsafe sleep is the No. 1 cause of preventable child death, not just in Pinellas County but across Florida and the U.S.,” stated St. Petersburg Fire Rescue Chief Keith Watts, who is part of the campaign. “Our men and women are usually the first to arrive on the scene. It’s a tragedy that’s 100% preventable, and we’re committed to doing whatever we can to educate and prevent these needless deaths.”
JWB urges all parents and caregivers to practice the safe sleep tips below to protect babies from suffocation every night and every nap:
• Follow safe sleep ABCs: Alone, Back, Crib. Always put babies to sleep alone on their back in an empty crib, bassinet, or Pack ‘n’ Play. Remove all items from crib, such as blankets, pillows, stuffed animals, and bumper pads. Use only a firm mattress and tightly fitting sheet. Use a one-piece sleeper or sleep sack to keep baby warm.
• Share a room, not a Bed. Bring crib into parent’s room for baby’s first year; room-sharing keeps baby close without the risks. Never put baby to sleep on soft surfaces like adult beds, couches, futons, recliners, or air mattresses.
• Stay alert while feeding. Set an alarm and always return baby to crib after feeding. Breastfeed if possible; it’s best for baby’s protection. Do not smoke or allow others to smoke around baby and avoid misuse of alcohol or drugs.
Learn more at www.SleepBabySafely.com.
Consumers warned
As the partial shutdown of the federal government continues, it is especially important for furloughed federal workers in Pinellas County to be cautious of fake job listings and offers, as well as fraudulent loans, grants and charity solicitations.
Pinellas County Consumer Protection warns that online employment boards are frequently used for scammers offering fake positions or work-from-home schemes. These scammers will pose as recruiters, contact employment seekers offering positions and often ask for personal information such as Social Security numbers or bank account information to complete the employment process or set up direct deposits.
Beware of the following to avoid falling victim to one of these scams:
• Avoid recruiters or employers requesting up-front fees or payment for training or materials.
• Do not accept employment offers from unknown persons or for positions you have not applied for or been to an interview for.
• Know secret shopper positions and work-from-home offers are more likely to be scams.
Additionally, federal employees should be wary of preapproved loan or grant offers. Scammers will often call or send fake emails appearing to come from actual financial institutions that ask for personal and banking information under the pretense of depositing the funds into your bank account. You should never provide personal or banking information to unsolicited callers or emails. Instead, contact the financial institutions or lending companies directly.
Charity scammers also take advantage of well-intentioned donors in times of distress like this. Never provide your banking, debit card or credit card information to unsolicited persons. If you are considering donating, take time to research the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services’ Check-A-Charity database.
Construction begins
Construction is now underway on the largest mixed-income project currently under development in Pinellas County.
Sky Town Apartments will include 121 affordable and workforce housing units in a 401-unit complex, the first phase of a 34-acre commercial and residential project in the Skyway Marina District of St. Petersburg.
Elected officials from Pinellas County and the city of St. Petersburg joined developer Altis Cardinal LLC on Oct. 15, to break ground on the mixed-use project, which will be anchored by a Sprouts Farmers Market opening this fall at 3201 34th St. S.
Sky Town Apartments is planned for three phases totaling 2,084 apartments. The first phase includes 60 apartments set aside for those earning 80% or less of Area Median Income (AMI) and 61 for those earning up to 120% AMI. The remainder will rent at market rates.
The full project will encompass an $800 million redevelopment of the 34-acre parcel including apartments, retail and other commercial space.
The first phase is expected to be completed in 2027.
Sheriff to host Discovery Day
The Pinellas County Sheriff`s Office will host a Discovery Day program for children residing in Pinellas County on Saturday, Nov. 1. The program will provide Pinellas County children with the opportunity to take a hands-on, behind-the-scenes look at the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office.
Participants will experience four education stations. These stations will include PCSO vehicle displays, a modified version of the Physical Abilities Test course, a hands-on forensic science experience, and the opportunity to test their skills on the Targeted Response Against Distracted Driving course.
Children must be between ages 8 and 13 and reside in Pinellas County. A parent or guardian is required to attend with the child for the duration of the program. The program will be held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Sheriff’s
Administration Building located at 10750 Ulmerton Road in Largo.
To attend the event, participants must be preregistered. The next Discovery Day will be held on Marcy 7, 2026.
For questions or additional information about our community programs, please