Pinellas Park renters and homebuyers face July 31 deadline for hurricane aid
Eligible Pinellas Park renters and prospective homebuyers affected by Hurricanes Idalia, Helene or Milton have until 11:59 p.m. July 31 to seek county aid.
Pinellas Park residents affected by Hurricanes Idalia, Helene or Milton have until 11:59 p.m. Friday, July 31, 2026, to submit new applications for two Pinellas County recovery programs.
The deadline applies to the Homebuyer Assistance Program and the Disaster Relief Reimbursement Program for Renters. Applications submitted by the cutoff can continue through the county’s review process, but meeting the deadline does not guarantee approval.
Who may qualify
The People First programs serve eligible residents and households across Pinellas County, except for properties located in the City of St. Petersburg, which has a separate disaster-recovery funding allocation. Properties in Pinellas Park are generally within the county program’s service area, subject to individual eligibility rules.
Applicants must document their storm connection, household income, housing status and eligible expenses. The county also checks for duplication of benefits, meaning assistance received from another state or federal program for the same purpose may affect an award.
Homebuyer assistance can reach $80,000
The Homebuyer Assistance Program is intended for storm-impacted residents moving from renting into homeownership. Basic requirements include having lived in Pinellas County during Hurricane Idalia, Helene and/or Milton, not owning another home, meeting the program’s current income limits of up to 120% of Area Median Income, and obtaining a first-mortgage commitment for a minimum 30-year fixed-rate mortgage.
The maximum award is $80,000, including eligible down-payment and closing-cost assistance. The award is structured as a five-year forgivable mortgage. Recipients must occupy the home as their primary residence and maintain the required insurance coverage during the five-year period.
Renter relief can reimburse up to $15,000
The Disaster Relief Reimbursement Program is for eligible renters who experienced property- or job-related financial hardship tied to the hurricanes. The program generally requires household income at or below 80% of Area Median Income and eligible expenses incurred within the program’s stated time window.
Eligible expenses may include rent, mortgage or utility payments for up to six consecutive months. The maximum award is $15,000. Applicants are processed on a first-come, first-processed basis for the relevant applicants, but an application is not an assurance of payment.
How to apply before the cutoff
Applications can be started online, at a People First intake center or by phone. The centers are open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at 2600 McCormick Drive, Suite 100, in Clearwater, and 5000 Park Street North, Suite 4, in St. Petersburg. Applicants can also call 727-606-3307 during those hours.
Residents should gather identification, income records, proof of residency and other program-specific documents before applying. Homebuyer applicants should be prepared to provide documentation related to their current housing and mortgage eligibility. County materials encourage eligible residents to apply as soon as possible rather than waiting until the final hours.
Submitting a new application by 11:59 p.m. Friday, July 31, preserves the opportunity for county review after the deadline. Applicants must still meet the program’s eligibility, documentation and duplication-of-benefits requirements.
Sources
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