The Wave

More help available for Hurricane Recovery

The Board of County Commissioners recently announced a new County program to help income-eligible homeowners with hurricane repairs not covered by insurance or FEMA, up to $30,000. In the coming months, the State also expects to launch Elevate Florida, which will help pay the cost of elevating flood-damaged homes. Stay in the loop when new programs or assistance is announced by signing up for our text alerts - just text RECOVERY to 888777. You can get the latest information on hurricane help at disaster.pinellas.gov.

Fort De Soto Dog Beach & Bay Fishing Pier Reopen

Fort De Soto Park is now welcoming visitors back to even more amenities. Earlier this month, the historic fort, dog beach and the Bay fishing pier reopened. The causeway, boat ramp, East Beach and Area 3 of the campground reopened late last year. More campgrounds, the Gulf fishing pier and access to North Beach are expected to reopen in a few weeks.

County beach access parks at Redington Shores and Indian Rocks Beach are back open while Madeira Beach is undergoing repairs. Check our website for the latest reopening updates.

Adoptable dog visits Commissioners at work

Meet Deuce, a 2-year-old dog available for adoption right now at Pinellas County Animal Services. Deuce stopped by the County Commission offices Tuesday morning to visit with Chair Brian Scott and Vice Chair Dave Eggers ahead of the BCC meeting. If you’re thinking of adding some love to your home this year, consider Deuce and his friends at the Pinellas County Animal Services shelter. Look for more photos monthly as part of our “Commissioners and K-9s” photo series promoting dog adoption and responsible pet ownership!

400+ New Affordable Homes over the past year, with hundreds more coming

From nonprofits with a heart for helping people to private developers opting to build apartments for teachers, our Board worked with partners to celebrate hundreds of new affordable homes over the past year, with hundreds more in the works over the coming years. Here are just a few examples of recent successes:

• Bayou Court Apartments shifted from market rate to 60 affordable/workforce homes with an eye toward teachers at nearby Lakewood Elementary School.
• Innovare opened 50 affordable apartments in downtown St. Pete providing healing and stability for people escaping homelessness.
• Habitat for Humanity's 900th Home was celebrated in the Ridgecrest community as grandchildren of the neighborhood's founders told stories of answered prayers.
• Valor Preserve provided 64 affordable homes for military veterans on the banks of Lake Seminole.

Here's what one resident at Innovare had to say about how a new home changed his life:

Check Your Pipes: Rebates available for private sewer lateral repairs

Sanitary sewer overflows can damage our bay and beaches. Pinellas County Utilities is working to eliminate them, but we need your help. As a homeowner, you can add inspecting the pipes connecting your home to the public sewer to your New Year's To-Do List. Good news! You may be eligible for rebates of $350 for the cost of a private sewer lateral video inspection and up to $3,500 for replacement or rehabilitation of your pipes. Learn how you can be part of the solution.