TAMPA, Fla. — Help may be on the way for some Tampa homeowners still recovering from hurricanes Helene and Milton.

At Thursday’s meeting, city council is expected to hear an update on funding that can be used to pay mortgages, cover insurance deductibles and more. 

Councilman Luis Viera said this could be especially helpful for people living in hard-hit North Tampa, which includes the Forest Hills neighborhood.

What You Need To Know

  • Tampa City Council is expected to hear an update at Thursday's meeting about a plan to use State Housing Initiatives Partnership Program (SHIP) funds to help residents recover from hurricanes Helene and Milton

  • A memo in the meeting's agenda says the $3 million could be used to help pay mortgages and insurance deductibles

  • Councilman Luis Viera said the money could be especially helpful to people who live in hard-hit North Tampa 

  • PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Independent flood study kicks off in Hillsborough County following back-to-back hurricanes

“Many families were in Zone X. These are typically non-flood zones, as we call them, Zone X, with a less than one in 500 chance of flooding during a hurricane,” said Viera.

Three months after Hurricane Milton, Adrian Fernandez’s home on North Hamner Avenue is still a work in progress.

“All the drywall is gone. My cabinets are gone in the kitchen. Still trying to replace the cabinets. Trying to replace the cabinets in the bathroom. I don’t have enough funds for that,” Fernandez said.

He said Hurricane Milton marked the first time his home flooded in the 26 years he's lived there. The city has previously said pumps in the neighborhood didn't work because there was no power, and a backup generator on one didn't turn on.

“Me and my wife are retired. We have a fixed income. This should’ve never happened,” said Fernandez.

“If it doesn’t happen to you, it’s so easy to forget,” Viera said.

The councilman said it’s his goal to make sure those impacted by the hurricanes aren’t forgotten. He asked the city administration to look into funds that can be used to help homeowners.

“FEMA certainly helps, but like I always say, if you’re buying a suit, FEMA will give you a belt, pants, maybe shoes, but you’ve got to get the rest,” said Viera.

According to a memo included in the agenda for Thursday’s council meeting, the city is finalizing efforts to use $3 million in State Housing Initiatives Partnership Program (SHIP) money for recovery. Viera said if the plan is approved, residents will be able to apply for funds. The memo says the effort will be aimed at households with incomes of up to 140% of the area median income.

“North Tampa, where we’re at, is home to a lot of our working class backbone here in Tampa. Post-COVID, the city of Tampa has become the kind of place where a lot of working families can’t afford to live,” said Viera. “My fear is that post-Milton, that what we’re going to see in areas like the University Area and Overlook and Forest Hills is that the cost of living is going to go up. We have to work with everything we have to help these families stay in their homes.”

Fernandez said he’s skeptical about the plan.

“I don’t believe the city will do that,” he said, but noted he’d be interested in applying for the program if it does come to fruition.

Viera said he and fellow council members could vote on it as soon as Jan. 23.