General Magistrate

Call center opens for Hillsborough County homeowners seeking a share of $211 million in hurricane aid. Posted 3:55 PM, Apr 20, 2026 and last updated 8:25 AM, Apr 21, 2026 is committed to covering the stories that matter to you. If you have a story idea, please email [email protected] TAMPA, Fla. (WFTS) - Hillsborough County homeowners still struggling to recover from Hurricanes Helene and Milton will soon have access to a new pool of relief funds. On Monday, April 20, Hillsborough County launched a call center for its Rebuilding for Tomorrow program. The county is dedicating $211 million to the Homeowner Repair and Reconstruction Program to help residents repair or rebuild their homes. Watch report from Jada Williams The money is part of a larger $709 million Community Development Block Grant for Disaster Recovery awarded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. I have been speaking with people in Tampa's hard-hit Forest Hills neighborhood since the storms hit about a year and a half ago. Even today, many homes are still under construction. Patricia Rodriguez's home flooded during Hurricane Milton. "It totally sucked," Rodriguez said. "Had to redo drywall, redo floors, screen porch, fence, bathroom. It's still being done. They just finished my bathroom," Rodriguez said. Homeowners' insurance was not enough to cover the damage. "The city of Tampa is giving us some money," Rodriguez said. Now, the county is stepping in to offer additional help. Starting April 20, residents can call (813) 540-7767 to learn more about the assistance program. Audrey Ziegler, Social Services Department Director for Hillsborough County, said the call center is a tool to help homeowners prepare ahead of submitting applications on May 1. "We wanted to make sure that the information was available to residents, and if they had questions, concerns, maybe wanted to help a neighbor or family member that the call center would be open," Ziegler said. "We just feel like our launch on May 1st will be more successful, and people will feel more armed, more at ease with having the information, collecting their eligibility documents, understanding what the program can do, can't do," Ziegler said. The program has proven to be necessary. "We've already had almost 60 residents reach out to us for assistance. We also have quite a few people that called prior to opening and left a voicemail message, so we've called almost 15, 20 residents back to give them information," Ziegler said. Despite being a year and a half removed from the storms, the need is still evident across the county. "I was just driving through Plant City today. There are still a lot of homes that are uninhabitable," Ziegler said. "We're hearing from residents who are not able to live in their entire dwelling, they're living out of one room because the other areas are not habitable," Ziegler said. Other residents explained how hard it has been to come across assistance. "We're hearing from concerned neighbors saying, my neighbors have applied for so many programs, and now they're not willing to apply for another program because they weren't eligible, and they've just lost hope in what can be done for their residents," Ziegler said. Any Hillsborough County homeowner with damage from Hurricane Milton or Helene can qualify, including residents of Tampa, Temple Terrace, and Plant City. Applicants must own the home, reside in the home, or be temporarily displaced due to the hurricane, and have their property taxes paid. "We'll be making sure that they own the home, that their property taxes are paid for. If not, we can probably look at some options to help alleviate the tax burden ahead of application," Ziegler said. Applicants must earn up to 120% of the area median income, with priority going to homeowners making 80% or less. "We'll be looking at household income over the past several months. Maybe their tax return is the easiest way to determine eligibility without so many source documents," Ziegler said. The county is offering up to $350,000 to replace or rebuild storm-damaged housing, or up to $150,000 for repairs not covered under other programs. "The unique part about our program is we also are launching part of the program to assist residents who did complete some of the damage already," Ziegler said. "If they worked with a contractor, with different skill sets, and had the work permitted, and paid for that work themselves, or even got a loan, we may be able to reimburse them for up to $50,000 of that work." The remaining funds from the $709 million HUD grant will go toward repairing infrastructure such as roads, canals, culverts, and pump stations, as well as projects to improve the area's resilience to future storms. "We want people to trust the program, trust the process, they'll be in good hands. Customer service will be second to none. We've simplified eligibility as much as the grant will allow," Ziegler said. Residents can start submitting applications on May 1. An in-person assistance center will also open that day. Homeowners can reach the call center at (813) 540-7767 Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. In May, hours will expand to Monday through Friday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Share Your Story with Jada Jada Williams is focused on the issues that matter most to people in who live in Tampa and West Hillsborough County. From downtown Tampa to Town 'n' Country and Westcase, Jada works to bring you updates and solutions on everything from crime to infrastructure. Reach out to Jada below with your concerns for your neighborhood. Contact Jada Williams Homeowner loses decade-long legal battle against St. Pete over unrecorded water pipelines An Odessa man lost his legal battle against the city of St. Petersburg today after a jury ruled that two massive water mains buried under his property can remain. Latest Tampa Metro & West Hillsborough News from Tampa Bay 28

Hillsborough County recognizes Water Conservation Month and Florida Water Reuse Week 2026. * home * / * newsroom * / * Hillsborough County recognizes Water Conservation Month and Florida Water Reuse Week 2026. Board honors Southwest Florida Water Management District for promoting water conservation in the community. During its April 1 meeting, the Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners presented a proclamation declaring April 2026 as Water Conservation Month and May 17 through May 23, 2026, as Florida Water Reuse Week. Amber Smith, government affairs regional manager with the Southwest Florida Water Management District, accepted the recognition. Since 1999, Hillsborough County has partnered with the State of Florida, including the Southwest Florida Water Management District, in designating April as Water Conservation Month to teach residents ways they can help save Florida's water resources. Water reuse conserves Florida's limited water resources, and WateReuse Florida has designated May 17 through May 23, 2026, as Florida Water Reuse Week. After accepting the proclamation, Smith thanked the Board and said it is essential that all residents help in conserving water, especially since the county is experiencing a Stage 3 Extreme Regional Supply Shortage as declared by Tampa Bay Water. "[The public's] efforts do make a difference," she said. "There's so many technologies out there available that are implemented for [the public] at a discount, now." Interested in all the details about the latest BOCC meeting? Here is a full recap.

Partnership completes development of affordable community in Tampa Bay area. March 24, 2026 RIVERVIEW, Fla. - A partnership between Smith & Henzy Affordable Group, Mt. Zion AME Church of Riverview, Adonai's Second Chances, The Tampa Housing Authority and Hillsborough County has completed the development of a new affordable seniors housing community located in Riverview, a city situated on Tampa Bay. FK Architecture designed the community, which totals 75 units reserved for residents earning at or below 30 to 70 percent of the area median income. Amenities at the property, dubbed Zion Village, include a clubroom, gathering areas, an outdoor pavilion, fitness center, library, movie room and media center.