It was announced in January that hurricane-impacted communities across the greater Tampa Bay region would receive federal disaster dollars to assist with long-term recovery efforts.
That's according to a press release from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development under the Biden-Harris administration, which is no longer available on the federal department's website.
Five counties — Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco, Sarasota and Manatee — and the city of St. Petersburg are slated to receive a total of $2.7 billion in disaster recovery funds.
In February, reporting by the New York Times uncovered Trump administration plans to make "deep cuts" to the staff within the HUD office that oversees disaster relief funding.
The news has sparked conversation and concern among city and county leaders about whether the proposed changes might slow or halt the distribution of anticipated disaster relief. At this point, there's no sign the funds are at risk.
Local leaders are still early in the process of considering how to use the federal disaster recovery funds. Community block grant funding comes with strict spending rules and a long approval process. Before the money is dispersed, local governments have to draft action plans, hold public hearings and get approval from HUD.
At a meeting this week, Hillsborough County Commissioner Joshua Wostal asked if the county has received guidance from federal officials.
"Do we actually know yet ... if we're actually getting this money?" he said.
Commissioner Harry Cohen echoed the concerns but recommended the county take a hopeful, but aggressive, approach.
"If [the money] gets pulled back, that's beyond our control, but until we hear otherwise, I think we should go full steam ahead," Cohen said during a Feb. 19 meeting.
Documents show HUD's Office of Community Planning and Development, which helps repair homes and infrastructure after natural disasters, has been targeted for an 84% staff reduction by the Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, which reported the agency had $1.9 billion in “misplaced funds” and $260 million in “wasteful contracts.”
Officials in Pasco, Sarasota and Manatee counties said they have been in touch with HUD officials and have no indication that their allocation is in jeopardy.
Last month, a HUD spokesperson said that the disaster recovery funds would not be slashed.
"Disaster recovery efforts are a top priority and will not be impacted. HUD’s mission to serve all communities — especially following tragedies — remains unchanged," Kasey Lovett said in a statement to the paper.
