First of 3 public meetings to be held Tuesday, March 10
Hillsborough County, Fla. (March 9, 2026) - Hillsborough County will hold three public meetings to solicit public input on how the County should spend an estimated $54 million in federal grant money over the next five years to support housing and community revitalization efforts, promote economic development and investments in underserved neighborhoods, and provide essential services benefitting low-income and vulnerable populations.
The meetings will be held on the following dates and times, with the first meeting online and the remaining two in person.
- Tuesday, March 10, 1 to 2:30 p.m. This meeting will be held virtually via Zoom.
- Wednesday, April 1, 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Ruskin Recreation Center, 901 6th St. SE, Ruskin, FL 33570.
- Tuesday, April 7, 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Victor Crist Community Center Complex, 14013 N. 22nd St., Tampa, FL 33613
Through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), Hillsborough County traditionally receives Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME), and Emergency Solutions Grants (ESG) funds each year. The County expects to receive an estimated $37 million in CDBG funds, $14 million of HOME funds, and about $3 million of ESG funds during program years 2026-2030. The funding amounts are subject to the annual federal budget process and are not guaranteed.
To receive grant funds, the County must develop a plan, known as the Consolidated Plan, that assesses housing, homeless, and economic conditions impacting the community. The Consolidated Plan provides a strategy for addressing needs and outlines a proposed budget for the County's use of HUD funds towards eligible activities.
The County is holding the three public hearings to receive public input on the Consolidated Plan through 2030, and the 2026 annual action plan.
The County also is developing a Neighborhood Revitalization Strategy Area Plan (NRSA) to guide targeted investments in designated areas with the goal of strengthening housing stability, supporting economic opportunity, improving community amenities, and coordinating public and private resources to achieve measurable neighborhood outcomes. At the public meetings, the County also will provide an overview of the NRSA boundaries and explain how the plan supports neighborhood revitalization and improved outcomes for low- and moderate-income residents in the target area.
Residents, housing and homeless partners, nonprofit service providers, and other stakeholders are encouraged to attend the public meetings to identify community assets and priority needs and to help inform the best use of HUD funds for community change. The County encourages participation by all residents, including those in economically disadvantaged neighborhoods, minority populations, non-English speaking persons, and individuals with disabilities.