Pasco expands housing recovery program
ZEPHYRHILLS – Pasco County has reached two milestones in its Better Future Individual Housing Program.
Dawn Buley recently received the keys to a new manufactured home after her previous home was destroyed during the 2024 hurricane season.
The county also expanded eligibility for the program and is accepting applications from households with higher incomes. The new income limits include $96,360 for a one-person household and $137,640 for a four-person household.
Residents can apply if their household income meets these 120% Area Median Income limits and they need help repairing, rebuilding or replacing a home damaged by Hurricanes Idalia, Helene or Milton.
The Better Future Individual Housing Program is administered through Pasco County’s Office of Disaster Recovery and Resources. On the web: mypas.co/IHPApp
Pasco County to give away up to 1,500 trees
PASCO COUNTY – Pasco County Parks, Recreation and Natural Resources will give away up to 1,500 trees Oct. 10 through a new lottery-based registration system.
Residents may register from Sept. 21 to Oct. 1 at mypas.co/FreeTreeRegistration. Those selected will be notified by Oct. 2.
Trees will be available for pickup from 8 a.m. to noon Oct. 10 at Starkey Wilderness Park in New Port Richey, Withlacoochee River Park in Dade City and Crews Lake Wilderness Park in Shady Hills.
Available varieties include Dahoon holly, Little Gem magnolia, red cedar and red maple.
District seeks input on land use rules
TAMPA – The Southwest Florida Water Management District will hold a virtual public workshop at 5 p.m. Sept. 16 to discuss proposed updates to rules governing the use of district lands.
The district owns more than 461,000 acres, with more than 97% of its managed lands open to the public. The proposed changes are intended to promote fair and equitable use, improve the user experience, address emerging issues and provide consistency with other water management districts.
The public may participate through Microsoft Teams at bit.ly/4wAXz9e or by calling 786-749-6127 and entering conference code 149-562-370#.
Public comments on the proposed rules will be accepted through Sept. 23 at WaterMatters.org/recreation/land-use-rules-update-and-public-comments.
Starkey appointed to statewide policy committees
PASCO COUNTY – Pasco County Commissioner Kathryn Starkey has been appointed to two Florida Association of Counties policy committees. The appointments are for one-year terms.
Starkey will serve on the Community & Urban Affairs Policy Committee and as chair of the Federal Policy Committee. FAC President and Pinellas County Commissioner René Flowers made the appointments.
The committees help develop policy positions that shape FAC’s legislative advocacy. The Community & Urban Affairs committee addresses issues including growth management, development and zoning, transportation and affordable housing. The Federal Policy Committee focuses on federal issues affecting Florida counties.
“I’m honored to represent Pasco County and contribute to statewide efforts that support smart growth, infrastructure and strong federal partnerships,” Starkey said. “These committee roles ensure local perspectives remain central in decisions that impact our communities and quality of life.”
Overman challenges Bilirakis to televised debates
TAMPA – Democratic nominee Kimberly Overman has challenged U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis to two televised debates ahead of the Nov. 3 general election for Florida’s 12th Congressional District.
Overman proposed holding one debate in Hillsborough County and another in Pasco County.
The National Organization for Women Political Action Committee has endorsed Overman in the race, her campaign announced Sept. 9.
Overman served as a Hillsborough County commissioner from 2018 to 2022 and built advisory firm.
U.S. Rep. Lee’s prison safety bill passes House
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Laurel Lee’s legislation, the Prison Staff Safety Enhancement Act, passed in the U.S. House on Aug. 31.
The bill will help improve the conditions for correctional officers, staff and inmates by enhancing oversight, promoting safer facility operations and addressing issues with sexual abuse and misconduct within prisons. This bill will help to ensure all allegations are properly investigated and strengthen protections for the prison employees when an inmate assaults an officer occurs.
“For far too long, too many Bureau of Prisons employees have faced sexual harassment and assault by inmates while they are just trying to do their job,” Lee said. “This bill is a very important step toward strengthening oversight, protecting our hardworking correctional officers, and ensuring the inmates who commit these horrific crimes are held accountable to the fullest extent.”
Couple marks 50th anniversary of escape from East Germany
NEW PORT RICHEY – Liane and Bertram Haupt recently marked the 50th anniversary of their escape from East Germany with a gathering at The Hacienda in downtown New Port Richey.
The couple arranged to meet at a train station Aug. 26, 1976. After avoiding police, they stopped beneath a bridge, where Liane climbed into the trunk of Bertram’s vehicle. He then drove through the East German border with Liane concealed inside, successfully reaching West Germany.
The couple later married and eventually built a life in the United States.
The couple invited friends and family to celebrate their anniversary in the restored 1927 landmark.
“We love Florida, we love the free United States of America, and we love all of you,” Bertram wrote in remarks prepared for the anniversary.
FEMA awarding $22M+ for Florida disaster recovery
LAKE MARY – FEMA announced more than $22 million in funding for 28 recovery and mitigation projects to help Florida communities recover from hurricanes and other disasters.
The funding is part of more than $348 million that FEMA announced for almost 170 projects nationwide.
FEMA is awarding nearly $19 million for 21 Public Assistance projects to reimburse Florida for the costs of repairs to recreational facilities, public buildings and debris removal.
Notable projects include:
- $2.8 million to the state for recovery work, including emergency protective measures addressing flooding and extensive power outages following Hurricane Idalia.
- Nearly $1 million to health care facilities across north, northwest and west Central Florida, including facility repairs, administrative support and emergency measures to protect public health during disasters.
FEMA is also awarding more than $3 million through FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Grant Program for projects in Florida that will prevent, eliminate or reduce future disaster-related damage.
Affordable housing project breaks ground in Tampa
TAMPA – Urban ReWorx has broken ground on The Vicente, a 20-unit affordable housing development in Tampa’s V.M. Ybor neighborhood.
The $9.5 million project will transform a former car wash site at 2914 N. Nebraska Ave. into 20 affordable rental homes and about 950 square feet of neighborhood-serving retail space.
Urban ReWorx is co-developing The Vicente with the CDC of Tampa. The project is supported by the East Tampa Community Redevelopment Agency and the City of Tampa Housing and Community Development Division.
“The Vicente demonstrates what thoughtful infill development can accomplish,” Urban ReWorx partner Thad Bereday said. “By reinvesting in an underutilized site, we are creating much-needed affordable housing while contributing to the continued transformation of Nebraska Avenue.”
Quick Hits
- Habitat for Humanity of East & Central Pasco County broke ground on a new home on Coleman Avenue in Dade City. Wesley Chapel Toyota, Mazda of Wesley Chapel and Chevrolet of Wesley Chapel have partnered on the project.
