Rebuild Florida is a program of the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity (DEO) created to support communities following disasters by addressing long-term recovery needs for housing, infrastructure and economic development.
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While Floridians continue to experience unprecedented challenges, Rebuild Florida has continued working to ensure that individuals and communities impacted by natural disasters receive the assistance they need as quickly as possible. We have several updates to share since our last update. Please read about our progress below:
- The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) approved the state of Florida's Action Plan for Hurricane Michael recovery. DEO is now in the process of launching Rebuild Florida programs to assist homeowners and communities affected by Hurricane Michael.
- On September 2, DEO announced that communities impacted by Hurricane Michael can now apply for more than $111 million in funding through the Rebuild Florida General Infrastructure Repair Program which is designed to rebuild and harden infrastructure.
- On August 20, DEO announced $27 million for local governments impacted by Hurricane Michael to buy out residential property in high flood risk areas through the Rebuild Florida Voluntary Home Buyout Program.
- DEO announced an additional $10 million in loan funding to help small businesses impacted Hurricane Michael through the Rebuild Florida Business Loan Fund.
- DEO has made continued progress with the Rebuild Florida Housing Repair and Replacement Program and other Rebuild Florida Programs for Hurricane Irma recovery and provided milestones on the three-year anniversary of the storm.
- Rebuild Florida remains fully committed to assisting program participants with their applications and registration. Though our Rebuild Florida Centers are not open to the public, they have continued to take calls and provide services for homeowners impacted by Hurricane Irma. We will update you as we begin to reopen centers for in-person assistance. Homeowners can still contact the Rebuild Florida Customer Center at 844-833-1010 or their Rebuild Florida Specialist during this time.
As we continue to closely monitor COVID-19 and take measures to ensure the safety of our staff and participants, we will keep working hard to help Florida communities recover from past storms and become more resilient to future disasters. Stay tuned for more updates!
Sincerely,
The Rebuild Florida Team
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HUD Approves Action Plan for Hurricane Michael Recovery |
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DEO announced that the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has approved the state of Florida’s Action Plan for over $735 million in funding for long-term recovery efforts for Hurricane Michael-impacted communities. DEO is now in the process of launching new Rebuild Florida programs. The funds are allocated through HUD’s Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) program.
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DEO Announces $111 Million Available Through the Rebuild Florida General Infrastructure Repair Program or Hurricane Michael Recovery
DEO announced that communities impacted by Hurricane Michael may now apply for more than $111 million through the Rebuild Florida General Infrastructure Repair Program. The Rebuild Florida General Infrastructure Repair Program is designed to provide funding for local governments to strategically rebuild and harden infrastructure to prevent or reduce losses from future disasters.
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DEO Announces $27 Million Available Through Rebuild Florida Voluntary Home Buyout Program for Hurricane Michael Recovery
DEO announced that more than $27 million is now available to local governments in communities impacted by Hurricane Michael through the Rebuild Florida Voluntary Home Buyout program. The Rebuild Florida Voluntary Home Buyout Program is designed to provide funding for local governments to purchase residential property in high flood-risk areas to help reduce the risk of impact from future disasters.
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On Anniversary of Hurricane Irma, DEO Provides Rebuild Florida Disaster Recovery Milestones
On the three-year anniversary of Hurricane Irma’s landfall, DEO highlighted milestones that have assisted residents and communities recovering from the impacts of Hurricane Irma. Launched in September 2018, Rebuild Florida uses federal funding for Florida’s long-term recovery efforts from the devastating impacts of natural disasters.
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$10 Million of Additional Funding Available for Small Business Recovering from Hurricane Michael through the Rebuild Florida Business Loan Fund
DEO announced an additional $10 million in state and federal funds is now available through the Rebuild Florida Business Loan Fund to help small businesses still recovering from Hurricane Michael to rebuild and expand.
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HURRICANE MICHAEL UPDATES |
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Rebuild Florida General Infrastructure Repair Program for Hurricane Michael Webinar |
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On Thursday, September 17, DEO provided more information to local governments and community partners on the Rebuild Florida General Infrastructure Repair Program for Hurricane Michael by hosting a webinar. The webinar was recorded, and you can view it by clicking the link below. |
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Rebuild Florida Voluntary Home Buyout Program for Hurricane Michael Webinar |
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On Wednesday, September 9, DEO hosted a webinar to provide local governments with more information about the Rebuild Florida Voluntary Home Buyout Program for Hurricane Michael. Watch it by clicking the link below. |
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Hurricane Irma Three Year Anniversary |
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On the three-year anniversary of Hurricane Irma’s landfall, DEO highlighted milestones that have assisted residents and communities recovering from the impacts of Hurricane Irma. Launched in September 2018, Rebuild Florida uses federal funding for Florida’s long-term recovery efforts from the devastating impacts of natural disasters.
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Housing Repair and Replacement Program – To date, more than 7,500 Floridians have completed an application, with more than 2,100 Florida families receiving an award from the Program, totaling nearly $83 million for repair activities. More than 400 projects are now in permitting stage across Florida. The Rebuild Florida Housing Repair and Replacement Program repairs, rebuilds or replaces single family and rental housing for families impacted by Hurricane Irma.
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Workforce Affordable Housing Program – On September 20, 2019, the Florida Housing Finance Corporation (Florida Housing) announced the approval of funding for four developments in Monroe County, totaling $25 million. On December 12, 2019, Florida Housing announced the approval of funding for 23 developments in Hurricane Irma-impacted communities in Florida, totaling over $134 million. On April 17, 2020, Florida Housing obtained board approval for three additional projects in Monroe County. The Rebuild Florida Workforce Affordable Housing Program, launched by DEO in partnership with Florida Housing, facilitates the creation of quality, resilient affordable housing units to help address the shortage of housing caused by Hurricane Irma.
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Voluntary Home Buyout Program – On December 3, 2019, Governor DeSantis announced that more than $44 million in CDBG-DR funding has been awarded to 11 Florida communities impacted by Hurricane Irma. The Rebuild Florida Voluntary Home Buyout Program encourages risk reduction through the purchase of residential property in high flood-risk areas to help reduce the impact of future disasters.
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Infrastructure Repair Program - On January 30, 2020, Governor DeSantis announced that more than $84 million has been awarded to 21 communities to improve infrastructure in Hurricane Irma-impacted communities. On March 28, 2020, DEO announced $100 million of additional funds for local governments in communities impacted by Hurricane Irma. The second application cycle closed on June 30, 2020, and applications are being reviewed and evaluated for the awarding of funds. The Rebuild Florida Infrastructure Repair Program funds infrastructure restoration and improvement projects in communities impacted by Hurricane Irma.
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Workforce Recovery Training Program – On February 26, 2020, Governor DeSantis announced more than $14 million has been awarded to seven educational institutions and local workforce development boards. The Rebuild Florida Workforce Recovery Training Program makes funding available to local workforce development boards, educational institutions and technical centers located in the communities most impacted by Hurricane Irma.
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Business Loan Fund - To date, nearly $2 million in loan funds have been disbursed to Florida small businesses. The Rebuild Florida Business Loan Fund has $40 million available in state and federal funds that are administered by DEO in partnership with the U.S. Economic Development Administration (EDA) to target industries identified by the state as key strategic markets for future growth and focuses on creating and enhancing the diversification and resiliency of Florida’s economy. The Rebuild Florida Business Loan Fund addresses the current gap in available, affordable capital for businesses by providing longer term loans with higher funding levels at market interest rates.
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Rebuild Florida Spotlight: Angela and Terry Edwards |
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"We’re very grateful for the assistance received from Rebuild Florida after Hurricane Irma damaged our home. It’s truly a blessing! " - Angela Edwards, pictured above with her husband Terry. The Edward's home in Deland was repaired by Rebuild Florida.
Registration can be completed online at RebuildFlorida.gov or by phone by calling 844-833-1010.
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Rebuild Florida Transformations |
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DISASTER RECOVERY RESOURCES |
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View previous issues of this newsletter and sign up to receive program-specific updates here.
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Hurricane Michael Recovery
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Ways to Register for the Hurricane Irma Rebuild Florida Housing Program |
- Over the phone at 844.833.1010
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