disaster assistance

Hurricane Recovery Rental Housing Fair 

St. Petersburg, FL – The Bay Area Apartment Association is proud to announce that it is partnering with the City of St. Petersburg to organize the Hurricane Recovery Rental Housing Fair. The event will take place on January 22, 2025, at The Coliseum (535 4th Ave. N) in St. Petersburg from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.

The event aims to connect those impacted by hurricanes Helene and Milton with both short and long-term housing opportunities.  Attendees will be able to visit each table to learn about the apartment communities featured, schedule a time to tour the apartment community, and apply to rent a unit. The event will feature BAAA members with rental units ready for lease in the City of St. Petersburg, elsewhere in Pinellas County, and in neighboring counties.

The Tampa Bay region saw unprecedented devastation from back-to-back Hurricanes Helene and Milton.  While these storms occurred months ago, many of the homes damaged by the hurricanes have still not been repaired, leaving displaced families reliant on hotels and other temporary accommodations.  During this time, households have been able to get a better assessment of damage and the length of time needed to repair their homes, and are in a better position to know if a short or long-term lease for an apartment is an option that makes sense to explore.

Many of the housing providers participating in this event are providing discounts, flexible terms, or other concessions to households displaced by Hurricanes Helene and Milton.  Other community resources will also be present at the event.  

You can read more about this event on the City of St. Petersburg's website.

FEMA financial assistance: 

• The period for applying for disaster assistance from FEMA for Hurricane Idalia has past. If you already applied for FEMA assistance and received a letter that you disagree with, you can appeal the decision. FEMA might need more information to continue processing your application. You may submit a signed letter explaining why you disagree with FEMA’s decision and providing additional information or documents supporting your appeal.  The appeal must be submitted within 60 days of the date on the eligibility letter. If you have any questions about the appeals process or need assistance you can call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362.
• Applicant’s full name, pre-disaster primary address, current address and current phone number
• Applicant’s 9-digit FEMA application number, found at the top of the determination letter (on every page)
• FEMA disaster declaration number DR 4734 (on every page)
• Applicant’s signature and the date
• Additional documentation to support your appeal (verifiable contractor’s estimate, insurance paperwork, any additional documents FEMA requested in the eligibility letter)
• If you choose to have a third party submit an appeal letter on your behalf, the letter must be signed by the third party. Additionally, please include a statement signed by you authorizing the third party to appeal on your behalf.
• Send your letter:
• By mail to: FEMA, P. O. Box 10055, Hyattsville, MD 20782-8055
• Appeal letters and supporting documentation also can be uploaded to your account on DisasterAssistance.gov, click “Check Status” on the home page and follow the instructions, or fax to 800-827-8112 Attn: FEMA.
• If you have any questions about the appeals process or need assistance you can call the FEMA Helpline at 800-621-3362.
• Bay Area Legal Services: Assistance with appeals and other      disaster-related civil legal issues is available through Bay Area Legal      Services. This is a federally funded program that provides free legal      assistance to low-income, eligible clients. Disaster survivors in any      county in Florida are encouraged to apply for assistance through our      Florida Disaster Legal Aid Line at 833-514-2940.
• The Disaster Distress Hotline provides year-round disaster crisis      counseling. This toll-free, multilingual, crisis support service is      available 24/7 to all residents in the U.S. and its territories who are      experiencing emotional distress related to natural or human-caused      disasters. Call or text 1-800-985-5990.