ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Three million federal dollars will be put toward a program to help St. Petersburg renters pay past-due water and sanitation bills.
The money is part of the Renter Utility Relief Program, which is a continuation of funding by the federal government during COVID-19 to households in need. According to the city's website, it had already disbursed more than $7 million to eligible residents.
Mayor Kenneth Welch made the announcement Friday with the President of Duke Energy Florida Melissa Seixas and other city leaders.
"For St. Pete residents experiencing personal hardship, we are eager to offer this program as a solution that can ease the financial burden caused by past due utility bills," Welch said in a statement.
These are the eligibility requirements:
- Applicant is a renter within the city limits or a landlord whose utility costs are part of a rental agreement
- Renter has experienced financial hardship from COVID-19
- Renter is at risk of housing instability or homelessness
- Renter's household is at or below 80% Area Medium Income
In the last week, Duke Energy says they have helped 200 families in jeopardy of losing power.
Audrey Stasko, spokesperson for Duke Energy said it’s a great partnership and opportunity to help those who are struggling to keep the power on.
“This is about helping our customers that were in a position that had gone too far," she said. "Shutting off someone’s power is always our last resort, so we are grateful to the city that they approached us with this opportunity to help our customers."
Renters can apply through the online portal where they can apply for assistance for the city costs, which include water, trash and recycling, and Duke Energy costs, which is electric.
Funds will be applied directly to the renter's utility account balance and can cover up to 18 months of utility bills.
The city said it was also awarded $1.5 million to improve the Enoch D. Davis Center and $850,000 for the Feauces Rising affordable housing development as a part of the federal Community Project Funding process.
The affordable housing development will create 24 townhomes to be sold to first-time homebuyers with half reserved for households earning 80% or less of the Area Medium Income and the other half will be for residents earning 120% or less of that income.
Residents can determine how their income translates to AMI percentage on the city's website.