Subject:
Grant Agreement for Lealman Community Redevelopment Area Residential Improvement Program.
Recommended Action:
Approval and execution by the County Administrator for a contract related to the Lealman Community Redevelopment Area (CRA) Residential Improvement Program. This grant program is included on the Fiscal Year 2026 Lealman Work Plan and Budget approved by the Board of County Commissioners sitting as the Community Redevelopment Agency during their regular meeting on September 18, 2025.
The Residential Improvement Program aims to incentivize improvement(s) and enhancement to the exterior appearance of the applicant’s home and property. To be eligible for grant funds, the property must be located within the boundaries of the Lealman CRA. It must also be structurally sound and meet Florida building codes and local housing codes. Grant awards of up to $15,000.00 are available for residential façade and site improvements.
The grant request submitted is for the following project in Lealman:
• The property in question is: 4690 50th Ave. N., Lealman, FL, 33714. The work includes window replacement, which will cost a total of $3,316.00.
o The contract is with Lipton Construction LLC DBA Lipton Window and Door.
o The homeowners are required to pay the contractor $1,658.00 for a 50% match (103.12% AMI) prior to the start of work, in accordance with the new match requirements.
o Pinellas County will pay contractor $1,658.00 following certificate of final inspection.
• Funding for this agreement is $1,658.00 and is included in the FY26 Operating Budget for Lealman CRA in the Lealman Community Redevelopment Agency Trust Fund. A total of $370,000 was confirmed by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) in the FY26 Budget for this Program. Approval of this grant is not anticipated to require additional budgetary or spending adjustments.
Strategic Plan:
Prosperity and Opportunity
3.1 Increase the availabitily of attainable housing
Summary:
The Residential Improvement Program aims to reduce or eliminate the costs associated with improving and enhancing the exterior appearance of the applicant’s home and property. Properties must be located within the boundaries of the Lealman CRA to be eligible for grant funds. Eligible properties include single-family detached houses, townhomes, villas, cooperatives, condominiums, and manufactured housing. The property must be structurally sound, meet Florida Building Codes, and local housing codes. Up to $15,000.00 is available for residential site and façade improvements.
Background Information:
This grant program is included on the FY26 Lealman Work Plan and Budget, approved by the Board of County Commissioners sitting as the Community Redevelopment Agency during their regular meeting on September 18, 2025. A copy of the Work Plan is attached to this item.
Grant applicants are required to execute an Acceptance of Grant and Conditions, which lists all contracts associated with the grant and acknowledges the applicant’s receipt of and adherence to program guidelines, as well as a Rehabilitation Work Contract with each contractor providing services.
Fiscal Impact:
Funding for this payment request of $1,658.00 and is included in the FY26 Operating Budget for Lealman CRA in the Lealman Community Redevelopment Agency Trust Fund.
Delegated Authority:
Authority for the County Administrator to sign these Grant Agreements is granted via the Agency’s approval of the FY26 Lealman Work Plan.
Staff Member Responsible:
Cameron Ehmig, CRA Specialist, Lealman Community
Partners:
Lealman CRA Advisory Committee
Lealman residents, businesses, stakeholders, and community partners