Sunrise St. Pete hurricane assistance: current status and what to do now
Short answer
Homeowners inside St. Petersburg city limits use the city's Sunrise St. Pete programs, not Pinellas County's. As of October 19, 2026, the Residential Recovery & Elevation Program (repair, rebuilding, elevation and reimbursement) and Disaster Relief Payments are paused: the city has not accepted new applications since 11:59 p.m. February 15, 2026, and says reopening is not guaranteed. The Homebuyer Assistance Program and Voluntary Buyout Program are open. About $173 million for Hurricane Milton was announced October 9, 2026; the city says it does not reopen applications, and earlier applicants will be re-reviewed.
Program status
Status as published by each administrator. We are an independent guide, not the administrator: confirm on the official site before you act.
- PausedSunrise St. Pete Residential Recovery & Elevation Program
Repair up to $100,000, reconstruction or replacement up to $375,000 by city-selected contractors, or reimbursement up to $50,000.
New applications paused since 11:59 p.m. February 15, 2026; the city says reopening is not guaranteed. A Milton allocation announced October 9, 2026 does not reopen applications; earlier applicants will be re-reviewed once the city's agreements are final. Status as of February 15, 2026; last verified October 19, 2026.
- PausedSunrise St. Pete Disaster Relief Payments
One-time reimbursement of up to six months of housing costs, up to $15,000.
Paused to new applicants with the city's other recovery grants. Status as of February 15, 2026; last verified October 19, 2026.
- OpenSunrise St. Pete Homebuyer Assistance Program
Up to $80,000 toward buying a home, as a 0% deferred loan forgiven over five years; your mortgage lender submits the application.
Rolling, until program funding is fully committed. Status as of July 27, 2026; last verified October 19, 2026.
- OpenSunrise St. Pete Voluntary Buyout Program
City purchase of flood-prone homes at post-disaster fair market value, plus housing incentives for eligible owners.
Accepting expressions of interest. The city expects to buy about 14 homes. Status as of July 27, 2026; last verified October 19, 2026.
On this page
Are you inside St. Petersburg city limits?
Sunrise St. Pete serves homes inside the City of St. Petersburg only. Many neighbors with a St. Petersburg mailing address, including Lealman, Bay Pines, Tierra Verde and parts of Gulfport, Kenneth City, Pinellas Park and South Pasadena, are outside city limits and are served by Pinellas County’s People First programs, which are open.
Check your exact address with the city’s “Check Your Address” lookup on its Sunrise St. Pete pages, or Pinellas County’s lookup on its People First page. The city’s own guidance: if you lived outside city limits, you may qualify through Pinellas County instead. Our jurisdiction guide links both tools.
What “paused” means today
| If you… | What happens |
|---|---|
| Applied before 11:59 p.m. February 15, 2026 | Your application keeps moving forward, according to the city |
| Applied with Milton-only damage and were put on hold or denied | The city says it will re-review these once its agreements with HUD and Pinellas County are finalized; you do not need to apply again |
| Never applied | You cannot apply to repair, rebuilding, elevation, reimbursement or disaster relief payments right now |
| Applied after the cutoff | The city’s status report lists these as received after the intake period |
There is no posted reopening date. The city says intake “may reopen if funds remain available, but reopening is not guaranteed.” Watch the city’s program updates page and email updates rather than social media posts.
What is still open in St. Petersburg
| Program | Who it is for | Help | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Homebuyer Assistance Program | People who lived in St. Petersburg during Idalia or Helene, do not currently own another home, and are buying a home inside city limits | Up to $80,000 as a 0% deferred loan, forgiven 20% a year over five years; your mortgage lender submits the application | Open since July 27, 2026, until funding is committed |
| Voluntary Buyout Program | Owners of homes in the city’s designated Disaster Risk Reduction Areas (lower-income flood-hazard areas that flooded in Idalia or Helene) | City purchase at post-disaster fair market value, plus incentives of up to $50,000 toward buying another home for eligible households | Accepting expressions of interest since July 27, 2026; about 14 homes expected |
Who would qualify if intake reopens
The city’s guidelines for the Residential Recovery & Elevation Program require that you owned the home and lived in it as your primary residence on August 27, 2023 (Idalia) or September 23, 2024 (Helene), and still own it. The home must be a one- to four-unit structure, such as a stick-built, modular or manufactured home, or a condominium in a building with fewer than five units. Repairs to shared structures are not covered, and reconstruction is limited to single-family homes and manufactured homes. Owners of manufactured homes on leased land need the landowner’s consent.
Household income can be up to 120% of area median income, with at least 80% of the money reserved for households at or below 80%. The program ranks applicants in priority groups, with the lowest-income households that include children, older adults, people with disabilities or essential-service workers first. It is not first come, first served. Milton damage is not yet eligible; that depends on the city finalizing the new allocation with HUD.
What the program pays for
| Help | Maximum | Who is paid |
|---|---|---|
| Rehabilitation (repair) | $100,000 | City-selected general contractor |
| Reconstruction or replacement | $375,000 | City-selected general contractor |
| Non-federal match (for example, alongside other grants) | $100,000 | Per program rules |
| Reimbursement of completed repairs | $50,000 | You |
Applicants “are not permitted to select or manage their own general contractor,” according to the city. Reimbursement cannot be combined with repair or reconstruction. Homes rebuilt in a flood zone are raised to at least two feet above base flood elevation. After repair or reconstruction, you must own and live in the home for one year.
Income limits
HUD fiscal year 2026 limits, effective June 1, 2026, as published by the city.
| Household size | 80% of median | 120% of median |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | $64,250 | $96,350 |
| 2 | $73,400 | $110,100 |
| 3 | $82,600 | $123,900 |
| 4 | $91,750 | $137,650 |
| 5 | $99,100 | $148,650 |
| 6 | $106,450 | $159,650 |
| 7 | $113,800 | $170,650 |
| 8 | $121,150 | $181,700 |
The Milton money
On October 9, 2026, the city announced about $173 million in additional recovery funding for Hurricane Milton, roughly $126 million for housing and $47.6 million for infrastructure and mitigation. The city said a HUD geocoding error had originally placed St. Petersburg’s Milton funding in Pinellas County’s award. Pinellas County’s April–June 2026 report shows HUD temporarily moving $173,681,000 out of the county’s grant while that was resolved. As of October 19, 2026, no amended action plan or HUD agreement for the new money had been posted. The city’s original allocation for Idalia and Helene was $159,884,000.
Help from a person
| Where | Details |
|---|---|
| Phone | 727-591-2990 |
| Main service center | 1914 4th St. N, Suite 1918, St. Petersburg 33704 (moved October 12, 2026), Monday–Friday 8 a.m.–6 p.m. |
| Satellite | Enoch D. Davis Center, 1111 18th Ave. S, St. Petersburg 33705 |
| sunrise@stpete.org | |
| Homebuyer Assistance | 727-892-5554, housing@stpete.org |
| Buyout and forms help | 727-893-7882 |
| Legal problems | Florida Disaster Legal Aid Helpline, 833-514-2940 |
Walk-ins can scan and drop off documents; case-manager meetings are by appointment.
Appeals and complaints
If you applied and receive a written determination you disagree with, the city’s program guidelines give you 30 calendar days to appeal (60 days for relocation decisions). You can use the city’s online appeal request form, email sunrise@stpete.org, or mail: Appeals, Attention: Sunrise St. Pete Division, City of St. Petersburg, Strategic Initiatives and Grants Department, P.O. Box 2842, St. Petersburg, FL 33701. The city aims to decide within 30 business days.
For other options while intake is paused, see Florida programs, how disaster aid stacks and the recovery assistance hub.
When to call a pro
- You need repairs now to make the home safe and cannot wait for intake to reopen: ask the city's service center and 211 about other help, and get permits for any work.
- Your title is unclear or the home passed through an estate: call the Florida Disaster Legal Aid Helpline at 833-514-2940.
- You received a written determination you disagree with: the 30-day appeal window starts on its date.
Common mistakes
- Assuming a St. Petersburg mailing address puts you in this program. Check city limits first.
- Applying through an unofficial site or paying anyone to 'hold a place in line.' Sunrise St. Pete is free and its applications are paused.
- Throwing away receipts, permits and insurance letters while you wait.
What to keep ready while intake is paused
Questions people ask
Will Sunrise St. Pete reopen?
The city says intake may reopen if funds remain available, but reopening is not guaranteed. It has not announced a date. Check the city's Sunrise St. Pete program updates page or sign up for its email updates, and treat any reopening date you hear elsewhere as unconfirmed until it appears there.
Does the new Milton money mean I can apply now?
No. In its October 9, 2026 announcement, the city said the new Milton allocation does not reopen Sunrise St. Pete applications. Previously submitted applications, including those that were on hold or denied because damage came only from Milton, will be reviewed.
I live in Lealman or Gulfport with a St. Petersburg address. Am I in this program?
No. Only homes inside St. Petersburg city limits are served by Sunrise St. Pete. Lealman is unincorporated and Gulfport is its own city; both are served by Pinellas County's People First programs, which are open.
I already applied. How do I check where my application stands?
The city posts a monthly status report listing case IDs and their status, and your case manager is supposed to update you about every two weeks. You can also call 727-591-2990 or visit the service center.
Can I start repairs now and get reimbursed later?
Do not count on it. Reimbursement requires an accepted application, and new applications are paused. The program's guidelines also require reimbursed work to be completed, permitted and code-compliant before you apply.
Sources
- Residential Recovery & Elevation Program (Sunrise St. Pete), City of St. Petersburg (accessed 2026-10-19)
- Sunrise St. Pete program updates, City of St. Petersburg (accessed 2026-10-19)
- St. Petersburg announcement of additional Hurricane Milton recovery funding, City of St. Petersburg (October 9, 2026)
- Sunrise St. Pete Email Update #20, City of St. Petersburg (October 12, 2026)
- Residential Recovery & Elevation Program Guidelines v1.1, City of St. Petersburg (May 19, 2026)
- Homebuyer Assistance Program, City of St. Petersburg (accessed 2026-10-19)
- Voluntary Buyout Program, City of St. Petersburg (accessed 2026-10-19)
- Fiscal Year 2026 Income Limits, City of St. Petersburg (accessed 2026-10-19)
About this guide. DisasterServices.com is an independent publisher. We are not a government agency or a program administrator, we do not take applications or documents, and we cannot tell you whether you qualify. Program rules, income limits and intake status change; confirm everything with the official administrator linked on this page before you act, and apply only through their official website, phone line or help center.
How this page was made. Drafted with AI assistance from the public agency, statute and industry sources listed above, then edited and published by Vincent Wallace. An independent expert has not yet reviewed this page; when one does, their name and the review date will appear at the top. See our editorial policy. Spotted an error? Tell us.