Sunrise St. Pete is a hurricane recovery initiative exclusively for St. Pete residents struggling to recover from hurricane damage.
Photo by Nikki Tesar
Pinellas County received $813 million dollars to help vulnerable residents recovering from Tropical Storm Idalia, and Hurricanes Helene and Milton. But, St. Petersburg residents do not qualify for those funds because the City has its own hurricane recovery program: Sunrise St. Pete.
The City states Sunrise St. Pete is exclusively for St. Petersburg residents and will serve individuals and families struggling to recover from hurricane damage. The portal will launch in November, according to a Pinellas County press release.
Sunrise St. Pete: Hurricane Recovery ProgramsHomeowner Rehabilitation, Reconstruction, and Elevation Assistance: The City states this will help homeowners and landlords with up to four 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: Residents can receive reimbursements “for verifiable eligible expenses already incurred to repair, demolish, or reconstruct homes damaged by a qualifying hurricane,” according to the City. Additionally, this is only for fully-permitted, code-compliant repairs completed before submitting applications.Disaster Relief Reimbursement Assistance: Residents can receive reimbursements “for rent, mortgage, and utility payments for up to six consecutive months,” the City states. This assistance is for “eligible low-to-moderate income tenants and homeowners with demonstrated hardship caused by a qualifying storm.”Read about a recovery program for Pinellas County residents.What You’ll Need To Apply
Once the program launches, residents will be able to apply online or in person. Until then, residents who plan to apply can begin to assemble the following documents now:
Proof of Identity (government-issued photo ID such as driver’s license, state-issued ID, passport, etc.) Proof of Primary Residency (utility bills, a lease, or a homestead exemption, etc.) Proof of Ownership, where applicable (a deed, or a mortgage statement, etc.) Income Documents (tax returns, pay stubs, and/or benefit letters, etc. that occurred during the qualifying hurricanes)Documentation of disaster-related damage or expenses (photos, bank statements, receipts, and/or bills) Permits for Completed Repairs (The City said “residents who have not obtained permits for finished repairs must do so now to qualify for reimbursement.”)
Find more information about Sunrise St. Pete at stpete.org.
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