Hillsborough County Receives $285M In Federal Relief Funds

TAMPA, FL — Hillsborough County has netted another $285 million in federal coronavirus relief funds, U.S. Rep. Kathy Castor, D-Tampa, announced to Hillsborough County commissioners Wednesday.

A portion will be used to provide additional rent assistance for residents who have lost jobs or are facing other financial impacts due to the coronavirus.

“We know that landlords need to get paid. It’s not good enough just having a moratorium on evictions," Castor said, speaking to commissioners remotely from Washington, D.C. "Landlords need to keep up their properties, so this will help."

Hillsborough received nearly $257 million in April as part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act. The county has disbursed nearly $241 million and is on track to spend an additional $7.3 million by the end of this month.

“Because it was so transparent and because it was so impactful on the lives of our neighbors, it made it easy for me to say to my colleagues here in Washington, 'Yes, we need to sustain another round of emergency support for our community,’ ” Castor told commissioners.

The county began its Rapid Response Recovery Assistance Program as a vehicle to disperse funds to a wide range of residents and businesses directly impacted by the coronavirus pandemic.

To date:

• More than $93.5 million went to 5,659 businesses.
• The city of Tampa received $30 million, Temple Terrace $6 million and Plant City $2.9 million.
• Another $34.1 million went to 6,854 recipients for housing and utility assistance and $1 million has been allocated for water customers with past-due balances.
• Nonprofit agencies and day cares received $9.2 million.

Related stories:

• $15 Million In Hillsborough Coronavirus Aid Dispersed In 3 Days
• Hillsborough County Opens 3rd Round of Business Relief Funds
• Hillsborough To Open Call Center For Coronavirus Relief Funds