Homebuyer Assistance Program (Pinellas People First Hurricane Recovery Programs)

Homebuyer Assistance Program (Pinellas People First Hurricane Recovery Programs) is sponsored by Pinellas County (funded by HUD Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery funds). Provides financial assistance for income-eligible people who lived in Pinellas County during Hurricanes Idalia, Helene, and/or Milton (excluding the City of St. Petersburg) to help purchase a home outside the flood hazard area.

People First Hurricane Recovery Programs APPLICATION DEADLINE: The Homebuyer Assistance Program and Disaster Relief Reimbursement for Renters will close to new applications on July 31, 2026. Hundreds of Pinellas families are already getting help… have you applied? Recovery by the numbers, as of July 1, 2026 Families Approved for Help HUD increased max income limits for our recovery programs.

See New Income Chart . Case management staff has tripled to better serve applicants. Contact us about your case .

Since launching last fall, Pinellas Recovers has helped hundreds of families impacted by hurricanes Idalia, Helene and Milton with rebuilding homes, disaster reimbursement and homebuyer assistance. Here are a few of their stories: “The Pinellas Recovers program actually is doing the work and I’m so happy and excited about getting my home back together again. ” “The process was fairly easy.

We were able to upload a lot of the documents… It’s definitely worth it! ” “When you’ve been dealing with recovery for so long, you become cautious about promises. But the process was straightforward, and for the first time in a long time, I felt like there was a path forward instead of another obstacle.

F ive programs to serve Pinellas County The majority of our $813 million+ Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery program funds are devoted to lifting up vulnerable individuals and families still struggling with unmet needs from Hurricanes Idalia, Helene and Milton.

The five People First programs include: Homeowner Rehabilitation/Reconstruction, Homeowner Reimbursement, Homebuyer Assistance, Disaster Relief Reimbursements and a Local Landlord Program to support affordable rental housing. Learn about the People First programs. Read the People First FAQs Do you live in St.

Petersburg? The People First programs serve individuals and families based on household income, with priority to those with the biggest unmet financial needs. Programs are open to all Pinellas residents except those who live in the City of St.

Petersburg, which has its own funding allocation. St. Petersburg’s programs are not currently taking applications, but you can learn more at Sunrise St.

Pete . If you have a St. Petersburg mailing address but you’re not sure if you’re in the city limits, put in your address to see which program serves you.

Type your address like the sample below then click the button. Pinellas Recovers Resources See all current programs and resources for Pinellas residents and businesses impacted by hurricanes Idalia, Helene, or Milton. For background on this grant, whom it serves, and how local governments can use these funds, see our CDBG-DR page and our FAQs .

Pinellas County’s grant funds will serve residents in unincorporated areas and all cities except for the City of St. Petersburg, which received its own allocation. To learn more about St.

Petersburg’s grant, visit Sunrise St. Pete . Emergency Declarations & Orders View all emergency declarations and orders for hurricanes Milton, Helene and Idalia .

First, read the details about all five People First programs then review our Frequently Asked Questions . Both full-time People First Help Centers are open: Mon. to Fri.

: 8 a. m. to 5 p.

m. Mon. to Fri.

: 8 a. m. to 5 p.

m. At times, we have a high number of calls and you may experience a long wait time. When you call, you’ll have the option to leave your name and number and get a call back from a case worker within two business days.

You can email us with general questions that aren’t addressed on the website and the FAQs. If you have application-specific questions , your best bet is to call us or visit our help centers. Once you have submitted an application, don’t use this email; a case worker will reach out to you by direct email to discuss your application.

Under Florida law, e-mail addresses are public records. If you do not want your e-mail address released in response to a public records request, do not send electronic mail to this entity. Instead, contact this office by phone or visit one of our help centers.