Subject:
Title
Resolution approving a Substantial Amendment to the 2025/2026 Annual Action Plan for the purpose of receiving a second allocation of Emergency Solutions Grant Rapid Unsheltered Survivor Housing funds.
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Recommended Action:
Recommended Action
Adopt a resolution approving a Substantial Amendment to the 2025/2026 Annual Action Plan for the purpose of receiving a second allocation of Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG) Rapid Unsheltered Survivor Housing (RUSH) funds and authorize submittal to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
• The Substantial Amendment to the 2025/2026 Action Plan serves as the application for a second allocation of ESG-RUSH funds and identifies the types of activities the County will undertake to address the needs of the homeless and those at-risk of homelessness in areas affected by hurricanes Helene and Milton.
• The County will receive $1,608,589.00 in a second allocation of ESG-RUSH funds.
• Eligible ESG-RUSH activities include:
o Emergency shelter (congregate and non-congregate)
o Rapid re-housing or homelessness preventions
o Short/medium-term rental assistance
o Housing relocation and stabilization services
o Financial assistance for move-in costs
o Supportive services for people currently experiencing homelessness
o Street outreach services
o Homeless Management Information System
o Administration - 7.5% of the ESG-RUSH allocation will be used for planning and administration costs
• Funding for this agreement is included in the Fiscal Year 2027 Budget for the Housing and Community Development Department (HCD) in the Community Development Grant Fund and is contingent on adoption of the budget.
Authorize the Chairman, or designee, to sign and the Clerk to attest applications, certifications, grant agreements, and Subrecipient and Land Use Restriction Agreements and Amendments; Authorize the County Administrator to implement ESG-RUSH Programs; Authorize the HCD Director, or designee, to serve as Certifying Officer for HUD Environmental Responsibilities; and Authorize the HCD Director, or designee, to sign and file forms, reports, and other administrative documents needed for the administration of the Action Plan.
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Strategic Priorities:
Health and Safe Communities
2.1 Improve public health.
Prosperity and Opportunity
3.1 Increase the availability of attainable housing.
Summary:
Summary
The purpose of the Substantial Amendment to the 2025/2026 Annual Action Plan is to fulfill the application requirements for ESG-RUSH funding. The County will receive a second allocation of ESG-RUSH funding to address the needs of homeless individuals or families or individuals or families at risk of homelessness in areas affected by hurricanes Helene and Milton.
On May 13, 2026, the County held a meeting with the Pinellas Continuum of Care to identify the continued unmet needs and determine priority strategies for assisting individuals and families experiencing homelessness or those at-risk of homelessness who were affected by the hurricanes.
Notice of the public hearing was advertised in the newspaper and posted on the County’s website on May 17, 2026. An in-person/virtual public hearing was held on May 26, 2026, to receive input on the needs of homeless individuals or families and/or individuals or families at risk of homelessness in areas affected by hurricanes Helene and Milton.
A public comment period was held from June 1, 2026, to June 5, 2026, soliciting input on the Substantial Amendment to the Annual Action Plan. Public notice of the comment period was advertised in the newspaper on May 31, 2026, and posted on the website.
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Background Information:
As authorized by 42 U.S.C. 11364a(c)(1), HUD’s Office of Special Needs Assistance Programs (SNAPS) made a special allocation of ESG funding to Pinellas County in the amount of $1,608,589.00, to address the needs of homeless individuals or families or individuals or families at risk of homelessness in areas affected by a major disaster declared pursuant to the Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5121 et seq.). The ESG funds shall benefit people whose needs are not otherwise served or fully met by existing Federal disaster relief programs, including the Transitional Sheltering Assistance (TSA) program under such Act (42 U.S.C. 5170b).
On April 16, 2026, notification was received identifying the County’s second ESG-RUSH allocation.
Fiscal Impact:
Pinellas County will receive a second special allocation of ESG-RUSH funds in the amount of $1,608,589.00.
Funding for this agreement is included in the FY27 Budget for the Housing and Community Development Department in the Community Development Grant Fund and is contingent on adoption of the budget.
Staff Member Responsible:
Gregg Mims, Director, Housing and Community Development
Bruce Bussey, Community Development Manager
Partners:
N/A
Attachments:
Resolution
2025/2026 Annual Action Plan Substantial Amendment Strikethrough Version
2025/2026 Annual Action Plan Substantial Amendment Clean Version