St. Petersburg City Hall on April 9, 2021. Credit: Photo via cityofstpete/Flickr

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. – As we prepare to navigate this year’s hurricane season, and while many continue to recover from the effects of last year’s storms, officials presented the Community Development Block Grant – Disaster Recovery Action Plan, which includes millions in disaster relief programs for the city’s unmet needs. Moreover, residents showed up to continue speaking during public comment about people experiencing homelessness in St. Pete.

The council could set a goal for housing before the elected officials’ summer break, as suggested by the St. Pete City Council during the June 12 session.

Community Development Block Grant – Disaster Recovery Action Plan

Officials presenting the Community Development Block Grant – Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) action plan explained that these funds aim to help rebuild areas affected by Hurricanes Idalia and Helene, and will focus on “low-income families, persons, and households.”

Costs and categories of the CDBG-DR allocation. Credit: Photo via CIty of St. Petersburg

The CDBG-DR will allocate federal funding approved by Congress (granted by HUD) to city programs to satisfy unmet needs (working as a sort of credit line) for housing, infrastructure, public services, planning, and administration, totaling nearly $160 million.

With 66% of the CDBG-DR money being allocated for “housing”, the housing program budget allocation chart below further details the budget allocation.

Housing programs budget allocation. Credit: Photo via CIty of St. Petersburg

Residents who participated in Public Comment noted that information for programs should be more accessible. Council members requested further clarification on how applications would be prioritized. The city will have until 2031 to spend the funds.

You can read the executive summary of the program below:

Unhoused St. Pete

Earlier on June 12, officials discussed during a committee session regarding the Clean and Safe program; this measure would “create a business improvement district… in and around Williams Park,” according to the St. Pete Downtown Partnership’s website.

The program, pitched by city and downtown officials, according to Tampa Bay Times, aims to “clean sidewalks and remove graffiti, pay safety ambassadors to collaborate with local police and build relationships with people living on the street to better connect them with mental health and housing resources.”

Some St. Pete residents see this as an anti-homeless measure, to which Jason Mathis assured the Tampa Bay Times it is not.

“Public parks are for the public,” Jay James, from the organization Dream Defenders, stated during public comment on June 12. “These are humans, and we should do what we can to provide resources.”

“Why should the government pay to cycle people in and out of jail?” resident Rowan Finley said, adding that the hurricanes from last year left people experiencing homelessness.

City Council Housing Goals

The session had a bigger-than-usual list of new business items. Among them was council member Richie Floyd’s (District 8) item to discuss “setting a City Council goal of creating 500 units of housing at or below 80% AMI per year in the city,” which will be discussed in a future Housing, Land Use & Transportation Committee meeting.

Floyd clarified that he had hashed out discrepancies with the administration before adding the item to the agenda, resulting in officials’ support and approval.

Other Affairs

The U.S. U-20 Women’s National Soccer Team’s 2025 Goalkeeper Sonoma Kasica was honored with the Distinguished Citizen Award. She was also celebrated for winning a bronze medal during the 2023 Pan American Games and for being a four-time Florida state champion in other athletic disciplines.

Officials approved $2,000,000 for prepayment of the FY26 Annual Recommended Contribution to the Police Officers Retirement System. Assistant City Administrator Tom Greene said this will help reduce a budget gap.

Director Renee Edwards of Saturday Shoppes provided a report to the council, highlighting that the organization has elevated 4,700 small businesses. Vendors joined Edwards in sharing their success stories, noting that the marketplace today has 104 vendors.

Esther Matthews presented the Hidden Voices report. Hidden Voices is a non-profit that helps people navigate hurdles to heal, engage, and empower. As of 2025, Hidden Voices has reached over 3,000 individuals and families, and has 50 active clients receiving consistent case management and wraparound services for children and mental health.

The William E. and Margaret H. Emery House, located at 1947 Beach Drive Southeast, was approved for designation as a historic landmark during a quasi-judicial hearing.

Council approved $75,000 for the settlement in Thipsukon Kamnerdpila v. City of St. Petersburg.

Jones, Hurley & Hand, P.A. was also approved to support the city with special legal counsel.

Officials also approved three ordinances for 3.29 acres along 4th St N, just north of Gandy Boulevard, which will impact flood mitigation with an increase in wetlands by half an acre within the city.

Council members introduced items to hold committee discussions about the local impact of Florida’s Senate Bill 180 (regarding emergencies) and Senate Bill 1730 (regarding affordable housing).

This post first appeared at the San Pedro Gazette.

Subscribe to Creative Loafing newsletters.

This article appears in Jun 19-25, 2025.