A 77-year-old Hillsborough County woman is still living under tarps with a collapsed ceiling nearly two years after Hurricanes Helene and Milton, despite applying for the county's federally funded repair program three months ago.
Rosa Wooden applied for Hillsborough County's Rebuilding for Tomorrow program in May but has not received a determination on whether she qualifies for assistance, Bay News 9 reported Friday. The program launched in April with more than $200 million in federal disaster recovery funding to help eligible homeowners repair or rebuild storm-damaged homes.
Wooden, who lives on Social Security and has been in her home for 49 years, told the station her son installed tarps to keep rain out after sections of her ceiling collapsed. Heavy rain has entered her bedroom, and she said flooding in her home prevented her from attending her brother's funeral.
"I'm just waiting. I don't know what they're going to do," Wooden told Bay News 9.
Apollo Beach and Ruskin homeowners are eligible for the same program under the same rules, since both communities are unincorporated Hillsborough County. The county held a public comment hearing on its broader $709 million disaster recovery spending plan at Lennard High School in Ruskin on June 13, 2025, including the South Shore area in its recovery planning.
Where the program stands
County officials told Bay News 9 that approximately 1,500 homeowners have applied for assistance. Funding remains available for about 1,300 additional eligible applicants.
Hillsborough County Human Services supervisor Mirla Cabrera attributed processing delays to the varying complexity of applications. Some applicants seek reimbursement for repairs already completed, while others need full home reconstruction, she said.
The county has expanded pop-up service centers where applicants can ask questions and get updates on their cases. A pop-up event July 29 at the Gandy Civic Center in Tampa was the most recent confirmed session.
What's available
The Rebuilding for Tomorrow program, funded through a $709 million HUD Community Development Block Grant award to Hillsborough County, offers eligible homeowners:
- Up to $350,000 to replace or rebuild storm-damaged housing
- $10,000–$50,000 in reimbursement for permitted work already completed
- Up to $150,000 in repairs not covered by other programs
Homeowners earning up to 120% of Area Median Income ($110,100 for a two-person household) are eligible. Priority goes to those earning 80% or less of AMI ($73,400 for a two-person household).
No application deadline has been announced.
The program will remain open until all funding is obligated.
How to apply
The Rebuilding for Tomorrow Service Center is at 1029 E. Hillsborough Ave., Tampa, open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Residents can also call (813) 540-7767 during the same hours or visit RebuildingForTomorrow.HCFL.gov.
