Income-eligible residents can access millions of dollars in aid to repair damages caused by Hurricanes Helene and Milton
A major milestone in Hillsborough County's long-term hurricane recovery efforts has officially arrived. The Rebuilding for Tomorrow program has opened its application period, supported by a newly launched call center designed to guide residents through the process.
Hillsborough County was awarded $709 million by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to assist with recovery and mitigation efforts related to Hurricanes Helene and Milton in 2024. Roughly $211 million of that amount will be dedicated to the Homeowner Repair and Reconstruction Program. The coordinated rollout reflects weeks of preparation by County leaders, who have expanded the program's resources.
Homeowners who meet eligibility requirements can apply for relief funds as part of the program. A service center to help residents is located at 1029 E. Hillsborough Ave., Tampa, FL 33604. The center is open from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays.
Several pop-up service centers will also be open from May 1 to May 15. Hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday:
- Lee Davis Community Resource Center, 3402 N. 22nd St., Tampa, FL 33605
- Plant City Community Resource Center, 307 N. Michigan Ave., Plant City, FL 33566
- University Community Resource Center, 13605 N. 22nd St., Tampa, FL 33613
- West Tampa Community Resource Center, 2103 N. Rome Ave., Tampa, FL 33607
Additionally, Hillsborough County has opened a call center and created a Rebuilding for Tomorrow website for income-eligible residents in need of more information or who have questions about the application process.
Program eligibility
The Rebuilding for Tomorrow program is for residents earning up to 120% of Area Median Income, with priority given to those earning 80% or less. Residents applying for assistance can live anywhere in Hillsborough County, including the City of Tampa, Temple Terrace, or Plant City. In all, the work is estimated to directly benefit 370,000 residents. The program will remain open until all funding is obligated.
Eligible residents can qualify for up to $350,000 to replace or rebuild storm-damaged housing; $10,000 - $50,000 in eligible reimbursement costs for permitted work already completed by the homeowner; or up to $150,000 in repairs that have not been covered under other programs. Residents who have received previous recovery aid from FEMA or other sources can still qualify for relief funds as part of the Rebuilding for Tomorrow program.
In addition to funding for homeowner assistance, some of the grant money will go toward projects to repair damage the storms caused to roads, canals, culverts, pump stations, wastewater lift stations, and projects to improve the area's resilience for future storms.
Learn more about some of the projects approved by Hillsborough County Commissioners and the projects' estimated costs.
About the Rebuilding for Tomorrow Program
Rebuilding for Tomorrow is a Community Development Block Grant - Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) program administered by Hillsborough County and funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) that provides funding to help communities recover from Hurricanes Helene and Milton. The program supports long-term recovery efforts, including housing rehabilitation, infrastructure restoration, economic revitalization, and mitigation projects, with funding prioritized for the most impacted areas and low- and moderate-income households.
As part of this initiative, the Rebuilding for Tomorrow Infrastructure Program, in partnership with the cities of Plant City, Tampa, and Temple Terrace, focuses on rebuilding and strengthening public systems in Hillsborough County damaged by Hurricanes Helene and Milton.