Recovering from a hurricane is often a years-long process. And after many severe tropical storms over the past few years, a lot of Pinellas County residents are still picking up the pieces. While the Sunrise St. Pete program takes care of St. Petersburg residents, there is a new Homeowner Rehabilitation/Reconstruction Program for the rest of Pinellas County.
We’re PITCH Roofing, and as your trusted local roofing partner, it’s our responsibility to know all the local goings on and keep you informed. Based in Pinellas County, we’re the local roofers you can count on. Stick with us as we explain the ins and outs of this hurricane damage restoration program!
The Pinellas County Homeowner Rehabilitation/Reconstruction Program
To homeowners affected by hurricanes Idalia, Helene, and/or Milton, the Homeowner Rehabilitation/Reconstruction Program will distribute up to $375,000 to restore your home and protect it against future storms. This includes repairing, rebuilding, or relocating your home.
A more comprehensive list of work you can do with these public funds includes:
- Rehabilitating and restoring your home to ensure that it’s compliant with all local codes and regulations.
- Repairing or replacing roofs, windows, septic tanks, and other property damaged by hurricanes.
- Demolishing and rebuilding your home.
- Elevating or re-building damaged homes in flood hazard zones.
- Replacing damaged or destroyed mobile homes
This program is open to single-family homes as well as manufactured or mobile homes. While applications are not open yet, the county will start the application process on Monday, October 20th. At that time, you’ll be able to start the application process by calling (727) 606-3307 or by meeting with a case worker. Case workers will be available Monday through Friday from 8 AM to 5 PM at the two following locations:
- Clearwater: 2600 McCormick Drive, Suite 100
- St. Petersburg: 5000 Park Street N, Suite 4
If your home isn’t up to code following the hurricanes or you don’t feel prepared for the next storm, this program could be exactly what you need to get back on your feet. However, not all Pinellas County residents will be eligible. Let’s take a closer look at the Homeowner Rehabilitation/Reconstruction Program eligibility criteria.
Who Qualifies for the Homeowner Rehabilitation/Reconstruction Program?
There is a list of criteria that homeowners must meet to qualify for funding. The idea is that the Homeowner Rehabilitation/Reconstruction Program will help the most vulnerable community members in Pinellas County. For that reason, the qualifications are as follows:
- 80% of funds will be allocated to households making 80% or less of the local median income. 20% of program funds will go to households making up to 120% of the local median income.
- You must not live within St. Petersburg city limits to qualify for this program. If you are a St. Pete resident, you’ll want to look into the Sunrise St. Pete program instead.
- You must have owned and occupied your home when it was damaged by a recent hurricane. If this is your second home, you will not qualify for funds.
- Any damaged property may not be located in a regulatory floodway.
- Your property must have been damaged in hurricanes Idalia, Helene, and/or Milton.
There is one other requirement to qualify for this program: you must reside in your property for five years after it has been restored. To ensure that you do this, you will agree to a forgivable five-year mortgage on your home that is reduced by 20% each year. No payments are necessary on this mortgage, provided you continue to stay there as your primary residence for the full five years.
With a clear understanding of what this program offers and who is eligible, there is only one thing left to consider: what kind of documentation you should prepare ahead of applying.
Preparing to Apply for Public Home Restoration Funding
While applications are not open until October 20th, you can still prepare your documents now. To qualify, expect to prove who you are, what your income is, and establish proof of residency. A complete list of documents you need to apply for funding will include:
Proof of Identity: State-issued ID, driver’s license, birth certificate, etc.
Proof of Income: Tax documentation and recent paystubs.
Proof of Ownership: A deed, mortgage statement, probated will, court order granting ownership, etc.
Proof of Residence: A homestead exemption or FEMA Individual Assistance or SBA award.
Proof of Paid Taxes: Proof from a tax assessor that property taxes are paid in full at the time of application or proof of a payment plan with no late payments at time of application.
Mortgage Standing: If there is a mortgage for your home, you will need to show the most recent mortgage statements to prove your mortgage is in good standing.
Additionally, now is a great time to consider what contractors you want working on your home. If your roof was damaged in a recent hurricane, consider PITCH Roofing. With deep local roots and undeniable workmanship, we know local roofing best practices better than anyone. And we’re knowledgeable about the Homeowner Rehabilitation/Reconstruction Program, so there shouldn’t be any confusion or headaches surrounding payment or following the program’s rules!
Get a Free Roof Repair or Replacement Quote
These last few years have done a real number on a lot of local roofs. If you have a hurricane-damaged roof that needs restoring or replacing, reach out to PITCH for your free, no-obligation roofing estimate. With a variety of options, nobody makes getting a quote easier than us!
To get an in-person roof inspection and quote, call us at 727-677-4824 or fill out our contact form. Alternatively, you can sign up for an online-only estimate and get a quote using satellite images of your home. Either way, we’ll provide a clear pricing outline and develop a personalized plan of attack to restore your roof to peak condition.
If you’re still recovering from the last hurricanes, the Homeowner Rehabilitation/Reconstruction Program could be exactly what you need. When you’re ready for friendly customer service and reliable workmanship, reach out to our Pinellas County roofers. With years of local experience, we’re the local roofing pros that you can count on!
Heather Ware is an In-House Roofing Specialist at PITCH Roofing. Working daily alongside our internal roofing teams, she translates complex Florida building codes and roofing techniques into clear, actionable advice for homeowners. With 4 years of experience in the Florida roofing industry, her goal is to ensure property owners have the exact facts they need to protect their investments.
