About | Disaster Recovery Program | Community Participation | Action Plan | Timeline | In the News | FAQs
Sunrise St. Pete is the City of St. Petersburg’s initiative for its allocation of Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The City of St. Petersburg will receive $159.8 million in CDBG-DR to support long-term recovery efforts from the 2023/2024 storms Idalia and Helene.
Disaster Recovery Program for St. Pete Residents
The Sunrise St. Pete program offers financial assistance to help with home repair, rebuilding, elevation, and reimbursement for expenses related to the storms – helping residents restore their homes, prevent long-term displacement, and maintain safe, resilient housing.
These federal funds were awarded to the City directly by HUD. HUD determines the total award amount the City receives, the qualifying disasters the City receives funding for, and the household income levels eligible for support. In accordance with HUD guidelines, prioritization is given to low-to-moderate income families earning up to 80% of the area’s median income, with some help for those earning up to 120%.
Grant Applications Now Open!
In anticipation of receiving grant funding from HUD, residents can apply online or in person. You can also book a time to drop off your documents or meet with a Case Manager in person, or on the phone.
While applications can be submitted and processed, grant awards cannot be made until HUD provides final approval through a signed grant agreement. The goal is to help residents begin the process early so assistance can be delivered as quickly as possible once funding is confirmed.
Service Center Locations & Hours
Main Service Center
1914 4th St N, Suite 1920
St. Petersburg, FL 33704
(727) 591-2990
Satellite Service Center
Enoch D. Davis Center
1111 18th Ave S
St. Petersburg, FL 33705
Hours of Operation
Monday – Friday: 8 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Saturday: 9 a.m. – Noon
Please note that assistance is not first-come, first-served – applications are processed based on program priorities and completeness.
Types of Assistance
Through the City’s No Wrong Door approach, applicants will apply through a single application portal, and based on each household’s unique circumstances, are matched with the assistance that best meets their needs.
Rehabilitation, Reconstruction, and Elevation Assistance: Help for homeowners and small landlords (up to 4 units) to repair, rebuild, or elevate eligible storm-damaged homes, with a priority placed on low- and moderate-income owner-occupied homes.
Reimbursement for Repair: Reimbursement for verifiable eligible expenses already incurred to repair, demolish, or reconstruct homes damaged by a qualifying hurricane. Only fully-permitted, code-compliant repairs completed before applying to the program are eligible for reimbursement. This means that residents who have not already sought a permit for completed repairs need to start that process now in order to qualify for reimbursement assistance.
Disaster Relief Payments: Reimbursement for rent, mortgage, and utility payments for up to six consecutive months for eligible low-to-moderate income tenants and homeowners with demonstrated hardship caused by a qualifying storm.
Applications Status by Program
Since opening on December 15, Sunrise St. Pete has seen significant interest across various assistance programs. Here’s a breakdown of the applications received as of December 30, 2025:
Rehabilitation, Reconstruction, & Elevation Assistance: 362 applications
Reimbursement for Repair: 144 applications
Disaster Relief Payments: 735 applications
Who Is Eligible?
You lived in St. Petersburg and had damage or financial hardship because of Hurricanes Idalia and/or Helene.
You own or rent your home.
You meet program income requirements. Per HUD, most help is for low-to-moderate income families (those earning up to 80% of the area’s median income). View the current income limits here. Find the number of people in your household, then compare your gross (before-tax) income to the chart.
Other eligibility requirements depend on the type of assistance available. All eligibility requirements will be detailed in the program guidelines, available in the Document Library.
Check Your Address to See Which Program Will Serve You
The City of St. Petersburg is now accepting applications for disaster recovery assistance from residents impacted by Hurricanes Idalia and Helene. If you lived outside the city limits at the time of the storms, you may qualify for programs through Pinellas County.
Use the address lookup tool to find out which program serves you.
How to Get Ready to Apply
Residents are now able to apply online or in person. Applicants shoulds be prepared to provide the following documents as part of the application process:
Proof of Identity (government-issued photo ID such as driver’s license, state-issued ID, passport, etc.)
Proof of Primary Residency (utility bill, lease, or homestead exemption, etc.)
Proof of Ownership, where applicable (deed, mortgage statement, etc.)
Current Income Documents (e.g., tax returns, pay stubs, benefit letters)
Documentation of disaster-related damage or expenses (photos, bank statements, receipts, bills)
Permits for Completed Repairs– Residents who have not obtained permits for finished repairs must do so now to qualify for reimbursement
Community participation was essential to shaping the Final Action Plan, and will continue to play a role as programs are rolled out.
Sunrise St. Pete Info Webinar
An Info Webinar was held on November 5, 2025, providing residents with an opportunity to ask questions and learn more.
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Previous Engagement
Previous Public Hearings:
Written Public Comment: A 30-day public comment period was available for residents to submit written input on the Draft Action Plan. All feedback received during the comment period was reviewed and addressed in the Final Action Plan submitted to HUD for approval.
In August 2025, the City of St. Petersburg’s Action Plan was approved by HUD. The plan, shaped by community input and federal requirements, outlines how $159.8 million in CDBG-DR funding will support housing, infrastructure, and community recovery.
See the Action Plan at a Glance
For a clear, program-by-program overview of how funding will be allocated, view the presentation shared during the public hearings.
View Presentation (Program-by-Program Summary)
Estimated Timeline of Activities
March – May 2025
Action Plan Development Period
The City used public input, in addition to data gathering, to inform the development of the Action Plan.
March 26, 2025
Public Input Opportunity
The Community provided public input at City Hall On Tour at The Coliseum at 5:30 p.m.
May – June 2025
Public Comment Period
Once the Action Plan had been developed, the community had an opportunity to provide input on the Plan during a formal public hearing and online through the City’s website.
July 2025
Submit Plan to HUD
July – August 2025
HUD Reviews Action Plan
HUD had up to 45 days to review/approve.
Fall 2025
Grant Agreement Reached
Early 2026
First Programs Expected to Launch
Within Approximately 2 Years
Grant Funds Reach St. Pete