Up to $25 million in state funding earmarked for the purchase of building materials and up to $35.2 million in donations to the Florida Disaster Fund will be used to allow verified nonprofit organizations to conduct critical temporary repairs on homes damaged by Hurricane Ian.
The funding was announced Monday at a news conference in Punta Gorda by state officials.
Gov. Ron DeSantis, first lady Casey DeSantis and Division of Emergency Management Director Kevin Guthrie said the money would also address unmet needs such as transportation, food assistance, housing aid, clothing and household goods.
“We are providing building materials and supporting nonprofit organizations to provide repairs so impacted residents can move back into their own homes,” said DeSantis. “Floridians are resilient, and the state stands by them every step of the way as they continue their recovery.”
Up to $25 million from the state's general revenue fund will be dedicated to purchasing building materials to conduct temporary or permanent repairs on homes damaged by Hurricane Ian. Materials that may be purchased under this program include, but are not limited to:
- Cleaning and sanitizing products
- Concrete and cement products
- Lumber and framing accessories
- Doors and windows
- Electrical products and plumbing materials
- Roofing products required for weatherproofing
- Tools for muck and gut
Up to $25 million from the Florida Disaster Fund will be awarded to housing organizations for lodging for volunteers, protective equipment for volunteers and other necessary supplies and commodities. Seventeen additional nonprofit organizations will receive a total of $10.2 million from the disaster fund to address unmet needs identified through the Unite Florida portal, including:
- Feeding Florida
- Harry Chapin Food Bank
- Hope Hospice
- Safe Children Coalition
- Senior Connection Center
- Senior Friendship Centers
- Senior Resource Alliance
- Mothers Helping Mothers
- NU-HOPE Elder Care Services Inc.
- One More Child
- Osceola Council on Aging
- All Faiths Foodbank of Sarasota
- Area Agency on Aging for Southwest Florida
- Bridge a Life
- Children’s Network of Southwest Florida
- Community Legal Services of Mid Florida
- Elder-Source – Area Agency on Aging for Northwest Florida
To apply for temporary or permanent housing repairs and to connect with other recovery resources, affct residents can visit the Unite Florida Hurricane Ian Recovery Portal at IanRecovery.fl.gov/Unite.
The Florida Disaster Fund has raised more than $57 million to help with recovery in communities affected by Hurricane Ian. The fund is the state’s private fund overseen by Volunteer Florida, established to provide financial assistance to communities as they respond to and recover from emergency or disaster. In partnership with public, private, and other nongovernmental organizations, the fund supports response and recovery activities. To contribute, visit FloridaDisasterFund.org or text DISASTER to 20222.
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