Today, FloridaCommerce announced it is providing at least $250,000 in funding to 11 Community Action Agencies (CAAs) affected by Hurricane Helene. This funding will enable the agencies to offer immediate support to their communities. The impacted CAAs include the Capital Area CAA, Central Florida CAA, Citrus County Board of County Commissioners, Charlotte County Board of County Commissioners, Hillsborough Board of County Commissioners, Lee Board of County Commissioners, Pinellas County Urban League, Salvation Army, Suwanee River Economic Council, Step Up Suncoast, and YouThrive Florida.
“Community Action Agencies serve a critical role before, during and after major disasters, providing essential support to Florida’s families and communities,” said Florida Secretary of Commerce J. Alex Kelly. “These funds will ensure that Hurricane Helene-impacted CAAs have a more flexible array of home-related support because many of these immediate wrap-around services can be the difference maker for a family that is seeking stability and is a first step in their path toward recovery.”
FloridaCommerce has also released guidelines that provide CAAs increased flexibility in using existing funds from the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) to meet a broader array of time-sensitive household needs. These funds will further allow CAAs the flexibility to provide urgent wrap-around services to impacted Floridians in need of immediate support. LIHEAP funds can be used for temporary housing, utility payments, and assistance with electrical power cable connection (from the utility service point to a home), utility box replacement, and utility reconnection including utility pole repairs and other services. Crisis-related LIHEAP benefits are available from September 23 through November 22 and may be extended upon notice by FloridaCommerce.