Question 1

What is Resilient SRQ?

Accepted Answer

Resilient SRQ is a program created by Sarasota County, originally funded by a $201.5 million grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)'s Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) for Hurricane Ian recovery. This program aims to rebuild and strengthen disaster-impacted areas when a president declares a major disaster and there are significant unmet needs for long-term recovery in the community. Sarasota County received an additional allocation of $210 million for 2024 storms Tropical Storm Debby, Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton. These funds will support the long-term recovery efforts from these storms, focusing on low-to moderate-income persons.

Sarasota County received an additional allocation of $210 million for 2024 storms Tropical Storm Debby, Hurricane Helene and Hurricane Milton. These funds will support the long-term recovery efforts from these storms, focusing on low-to moderate-income persons.

Question 2

What is CDBG-DR?

Accepted Answer

In response to extraordinary impacts from disasters, Congress may appropriate additional funding to the Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) funding. Unlike other recovery assistance programs administered by the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA), CDBG-DR assistance is not permanently authorized. After Congress appropriates funding to the CDBG-DR program, HUD formally announces the CDBG-DR awards and publishes rules for the awards in a Federal Register notice.

Question 3

Where did these funds come from?

Accepted Answer

Funding for Resilient SRQ comes from the Community Development Block Grant – Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) program, an allocation directly from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to assist in the long-term recovery efforts of declared disasters.

Question 4

Which disasters apply to this funding?

Accepted Answer

Tropical Storm Debby 4806 (August 2024), Hurricane Helene 4828 (September 2024) and Hurricane Milton 4834 (October 2024).

Question 5

What areas in Sarasota County may be able to receive funding?

Accepted Answer

All of Sarasota County may benefit from this funding because it has been designated as one of the areas most impacted by the disaster. This funding will support recovery efforts across the entire county.

Question 6

What can CDBG-DR funds be used for?

Accepted Answer

CDBG-DR funds can be used for activities that address the impact of the disaster(s), provided they meet specific criteria:

Tie-back to the disaster: The activity must directly or indirectly address damage caused by the disaster, and in this instance, either storms Debby, Helene and/or Milton.
Eligible activity: The activity must fall under HUD’s guidelines for eligible uses.
Meet a national objective: The activity must benefit low-and moderate-income individuals, eliminate slum or blight, or address an urgent community need.

Examples of eligible uses include housing repairs and reconstruction for homes damaged by the disaster, public infrastructure improvements, economic recovery efforts, multifamily affordable housing developments for low- and moderate-income families and/or rental assistance.

CDBG-DR funds are meant to help communities recover, rebuild and become more resilient.

Question 7

What is the process and timeline for Resilient SRQ to develop programs the public can apply for?

Accepted Answer

The following steps must be completed before Resilient SRQ launches its specific recovery programs:

Community Input: We anticipate sending out a survey for individuals and organizations to share their unmet needs related to these storms. We will also host public input meetings to gather feedback on how the funds can best serve our community.
Draft Action Plan: Using a variety of data, to include input from a survey and public meetings, we will develop an unmet needs analysis and draft action plan that proposes how the funding will be used to address recovery and resilience needs across Sarasota County.
Public Comment Period: Following the Sarasota County Commission's direction and approval, the draft action plan will be posted for a 30-day public comment period. We will use a variety of methods to solicit input on this from the community.
Review and Submit Action Plan: After reviewing public comments, we will finalize the action plan and present it to the Board for direction and approval. The finalized plan will then be submitted to HUD for approval. 
Action Plan Review by HUD: HUD will review and comment and/or approve the action plan within 45 days.
Program Launches: After HUD approval of the action plan and execution of the Grant Award Agreement by Sarasota County, the programs contained in the action plan will launch and applicants can apply for funding. As needs change, Sarasota County will have the ability to add or remove programs throughout the over six-year duration of this grant.

Question 8

How can I provide feedback or get involved in the planning process?

Accepted Answer

You can get involved by:

Attending public engagement events to learn more about the program and share your thoughts.
Submitting comments during the public comment period via email, mail or an online form.
Staying informed by visiting the Resilient SRQ website and signing up for email updates.

For more details on upcoming hearings or to provide feedback, visit ResilientSRQ.net or contact the program team at ResilientSRQ@scgov.net.

Question 9

Who manages Resilient SRQ?

Accepted Answer

Sarasota County is the grantee for the Community Development Block Grant - Disaster Recovery (CDBG-DR) funds awarded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The Program is being managed by the Program Management Division in the Office of Financial Management at Sarasota County. You can contact the Program staff directly by emailing ResilientSRQ@scgov.net.

Question 10

What is a public action plan and why is it important?

Accepted Answer

A Public Action Plan is an outline which states how allocated funds will be used to address housing, economic development, infrastructure, and mitigation programs. The Action Plan must also address how these programs serve an unmet need in the community. Prior to receiving the funds, HUD must approve how the County plans on using the funds. Public participation is strongly encouraged during the formation of the Public Action Plan and during a formal public comment period.

Question 11

Can CDBG-DR funds be combined with other Federal assistance?

Accepted Answer

Resilient SRQ funding supplements other Federal recovery assistance programs administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the Small Business Administration (SBA), and the United States Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). Resilient SRQ funds cannot duplicate funding available from federal, state, or local governments, private and non-profit organizations, insurance proceeds, or any other source of assistance.

Question 12

Where can I go if I need assistance now?

Accepted Answer

If you need assistance now, please visit https://www.scgov.net/government/emergency-services/hurricane-recovery-7270 for a list of hurricane recovery resources.

Question 13

Where can I find more information?

Accepted Answer

You can visit the program website at ResilientSRQ.net. Updates to the program will be posted regularly. Sign up for the newsletter on the website to receive email updates.

Question 14

Who can I contact for more information?

Accepted Answer

You can contact Resilient SRQ by calling 941-861-5309 or by emailing ResilientSRQ@scgov.net.

Question 15

Will the program accommodate special needs, such as disabilities?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Sarasota County Resilient SRQ does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, religion, or disability, and provides, upon request, reasonable accommodation, including auxiliary aids and services, to afford an individual with a disability an equal opportunity to participate in all services, programs, and activities.

Question 16

Can someone assist me in a language other than English?

Accepted Answer

Yes, translation services are available. Please inform Resilient SRQ staff of your language preference, and we will arrange for appropriate assistance.

Resilient SRQ FAQs