ORLANDO, Fla. — Home and property owners who are struggling following the active 2024 hurricane season are receiving some additional support thanks to state and federal resources.
Realtors helping others in times of need is what this charity is all about. Learn how to give and receive.
On Thursday, Gov. Ron DeSantis announced an additional $7 million to help Floridians repair and rebuild homes damaged by Hurricanes Helene and Milton through the Florida Disaster Fund. According to the state’s website, the first step to applying for assistance is calling the registration hotline: 1-800-621-FEMA (3362). The governor’s office is also encouraging homeowners in need to contact the Hope Florida hotline at 1-833-GET-HOPE (438-4673).
An additional $800,000 will be distributed to school districts in Lafayette, Hamilton, Charlotte, Citrus, Hernando and Polk counties and statewide first responder organizations to aid in recovery.
“Florida sees disaster recovery through to the end, and thanks to our state’s good financial standing, we are able to help those who were devastated by hurricanes this year,” DeSantis said. “I’m pleased to make these awards today in our continued efforts to help Floridians get back to normalcy.”
Also last week, the U.S. Senate passed the Federal Disaster Tax Relief Act (HR 5863), which allows individuals to claim disaster-related personal casualty losses for qualifying disasters, including Hurricanes Helene, Debby and Milton this year and Hurricanes Ian, Nicole, Fiona and Idalia in recent years. The losses can be claimed without itemizing deductions and would not have to exceed 10% of the claimant’s adjusted gross income to qualify. The bill, sponsored by U.S. Rep. Greg Steube of Southwest Florida, must be signed by the president.
“More than two years ago, Hurricane Ian decimated my district,” Steube said in a statement. “Due to inaction by Congress, millions of Americans have missed out on the disaster tax deductions that are typically available after presidentially declared disasters. Since then, I’ve fought to deliver tax relief for not only my constituents — but for the many Americans impacted by natural disasters across the country. Floridians have compounded damage and rebuilding expenses from five hurricanes since Ian, including three back-to-back hurricanes this season.”
In addition, the Federal Housing Administration announced it is extending a moratorium prohibiting lenders from foreclosing on FHA-insured mortgages in areas devastated by Hurricanes Helene and Milton through April 11. Visit the FHA Disaster Relief site or call the FHA Resource Center at 1-800-304-9320 to learn more about disaster relief options.
“Because the consecutive Hurricanes Helene and Milton caused a great deal of damage and disruption, FHA believes it is appropriate to extend our foreclosure moratoriums by 120 days,” Federal Housing Commissioner Julia Gordon said. “This extension will provide more time for homeowners to review a range of options with their mortgage servicer if they are unable to resume regular mortgage payments due to the impact of the disaster.”
Estimated insured losses for Milton, Helene
Here’s how Realtors, as well as other Florida residents, affected by Hurricanes Helene and Milton, can apply for assistance.
Hurricane Milton damage
As of Dec. 4, Hillsborough (62,153), Pinellas (43,861), Manatee (31,462), Sarasota (23,507) and Polk (21,086) are the top five out of 20 counties with the greatest number of claims reported with Hurricane Milton damage.
With 69.5% of Milton claims closed, the total estimated insured losses are $3,334,352,316. Of the 309,467 claims so far, 245,347 are for residential property damage.
- Claims closed with payments to policyholders: 118,154
- Claims closed without payments to policyholders: 96,845
- Commercial property claims: 14,688
Of the claims closed without payment, 7,290 were due to non-covered flood damage, 37,999 due to damage below the deductible and 51,556 due to other reasons (including the customer withdrawing the claim or the insured not being reachable).
Hurricane Helen damage
As of Nov. 18, Pinellas (47,095), Hillsborough (16,921), Pasco (9,590), Manatee (8,047) and Sarasota (7,585) are the top five out of 20 counties with the greatest number of claims reported with Hurricane Helene damage.
With 66.6% of Helene claims closed, the total estimated insured losses are $1,990,543,518. Of the 135,505 claims so far, 60,843 are for residential property damage.
- Claims closed with payments to policyholders: 54,511
- Claims closed without payments to policyholders: 35,375
- Commercial property claims: 4,342
Of the claims closed without payment, 9,502 were due to non-covered flood damage, 8,919 due to damage below the deductible and 16,919 due to other reasons (including the customer withdrawing the claim or the insured not being reachable).
© 2024 Florida Realtors®
