Hurricane Ian

Sarasota County launches Resilient SRQ Housing Recovery Program for homeowners affected by Hurricane Ian

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County staff provides details about process

These are examples of Hurricane Ian destruction shown in the Sarasota County’s Action Plan for the Resilient SRQ program. Image courtesy Sarasota County

Sarasota County homeowners affected by Hurricane Ian are being invited to apply for the Resilient SRQ Housing Recovery Program, county staff has announced.

Sarasota County was awarded $201.5 million in funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) Program, a news release explains. “Of this, $55 million is allocated to the Housing Recovery Program (HRP),” which offers rehabilitation, reconstruction and reimbursement options to eligible homeowners, the release adds.

“The HRP prioritizes low-to-moderate-income individuals, serving as a crucial funding source to address unmet needs resulting from Hurricane Ian,” the release points out.

“The Housing Recovery Program is a vital resource for low-to-moderate-income community members who are struggling to recover from the devastating impacts of Hurricane Ian,” said Sarasota County Commissioner Chair Mike Moran in the release. “We are always looking for ways to help those in our community who are in need, and we are excited for another opportunity to do just that,” he added.

These are the 80% AMI figures. Image courtesy Sarasota County

Homeowners can begin the application progress by completing an interest survey online at ResilientSRQ.net/housing-recovery or by calling 941-861-5309, Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., the release explains. “The survey must be completed,” so staff can determine conditional eligibility for persons and for individuals to receive invitations to fill out the full application, the release emphasizes. “The full application will be available starting on June 26 for conditionally eligible homeowners who completed the survey.”

To qualify for the program, Sarasota County residents must meet the following criteria at the time of application submission, the release notes:

  • They must own the damaged homes.
  • They must have experienced the damage to their homes as a result of Hurricane Ian’s strike on Southwest Florida in 2022.
  • They must have used the damaged homes as their primary residences prior to Hurricane Ian.
  • They must maintain a mortgage in good standing or be on a payment plan in good standing.
  • They must have a household income at or below 80% of Sarasota County’s area median income (AMI), as determined by HUD.

The application process involves the following steps, the release says:

  • 1. Submit the homeowner interest survey online. at ResilientSRQ.net/housing-recovery.
  • 2. Conditionally eligible applicants will begin to be invited to complete a full application starting on June 26.
  • 3. Applicants will be assigned a case manager to assist with eligibility questions, finalize the application and complete required documents.
  • 4. Award determination — If an applicant is eligible for a reimbursement request for work completed in the aftermath of Hurricane Ian, funds will be distributed to the homeowner; for rehabilitation or reconstruction requests, a Sarasota County contractor will be assigned to begin the process.

“Applications will be accepted as long as funding remains available,” the release points out. Additional assistance with case managers can be arranged by calling 941-861-5309 or by emailing ResilientSRQ@scgov.net. Translation services are available as needed.

To stay updated on program developments and upcoming events, sign up for updates at ResilientSRQ.net.

For more information on eligibility requirements, individuals may visit ResilientSRQ.net/housing-recovery, call 941-861-5309 or email ResilientSRQ@scgov.net.