The State of Florida Department of Community Affairs has been allocated funding for recovery activities addressing damages that were incurred during Tropical Storm Fay, Hurricane Ike, and Hurricane Gustav in 2008. Leon County had no reported damage associated with the hurricanes; however, Tropical Storm Fay inflicted significant damage within the County.

Leon County is eligible to receive $10,179,232 for grant eligible activities, if its grant application is approved. All projects funded by the grant must benefit low to moderate income residents and have damages caused by Tropical Storm Fay. Grant eligible activities include repairs and improvements to infrastructure and public facilities projects, repairs and improvements to buildings for business owners, and housing activities including acquisition and relocation. The grant also requires that 14% of the funding be utilized for affordable rental housing for activities such as rehabilitation, replacement (temporary or permanent relocation), acquisition, etc.

Proposed projects include:

Flooding Projects (Flood and drainage, hazard mitigation, storm drains, catch basin, retention pond, curb and gutter) - $6,688,000 

Acquisition Projects (Acquisition in the 100 year flood plain, acquisition of real property, acquisition: land, building, easement or right-of way) - $1,862,172

Administration, planning and management - $204,000

Affordable Rental Housing – (Rehab, multi-unit residential) - $1,425,060

Comments will be accepted beginning January 2, 2010 until January 12, 2010 until 5:00 p.m. Comments may be emailed to: Candice Wilson at wilsonca@leoncountyfl.gov  or by visiting the Division’s website address: www.leoncountyfl.gov/HHS.

Any requests to review the grant application should be made to Leon County Housing Services located at 918 Railroad Avenue, Tallahassee, Florida 32310. For more information, please call 850-606-1900.