‘For St. Pete residents experiencing personal hardship, we are eager to offer this program as a solution that can ease the financial burden caused by past due utility bills,’ said Mayor Ken Welch.
BY RAVEN JOY SHONEL | Staff Writer
ST. PETERSBURG — Mayor Ken Welch announced a $3 million allocation of federal dollars to fund a Renter Utility Relief Program to help St. Pete renters pay past due water sanitation bills from the City of St. Petersburg and Duke Energy on March 22.
One of the mayor’s five Pillars of Progress includes “housing opportunities for all,” which includes the development and preservation of housing. A crucial component of housing is the affordability of monthly utilities.
“In our post-pandemic economy, many individuals and families are facing financial challenges and falling behind on their bills and rent. The Rental Utility Relief program we’re highlighting today can be a beacon of hope for those struggling with the cost of living,” Welch said, noting that he is pleased to work alongside community partner Duke Energy.
The federal monies for the Renter Utility Relief Program will go toward helping eligible St. Pete renters pay past-due electric, sanitation and water bills from the city and Duke Energy. Awarded funds will be applied directly to the recipient’s utility account balance, covering up to 18 months of utility bills.
Melissa Seixas, president of Duke Energy Florida
Melissa Seixas, president of Duke Energy Florida encouraged residents to apply for the program immediately, not to wait. If for whatever reason they do not qualify, she urges them to contact Duke.
“Let us work with you. See what we can figure out, whether it’s this program, whether it’s some other type of program, whether it’s installment plans, whether it’s coming out to your home and conducting an energy check so that we can help you save money just in the way that your home operates day to day,” stated Seixas.
She also noted that Duke customers have seen a rise in prices since 2021 because natural gas prices have skyrocketed, but prices are starting to decline.
Nikki Gaskin-Capehart, president & CEO, PCUL
The Pinellas County Urban League is no stranger to utility assistance programs. PCUL President and CEO Nikki Gaskin-Capehart said the organization has been providing assistance since 1993 to the community. Last year alone, 1,500 clients received $1.5 million in home energy funding, and more than 1,700 received crisis funding at $1.8 million.
“That speaks to the need that we’re talking about here today,” shared Gaskin-Capehart. “And that demand for this assistance always exceeds our supply of funding. So that is why Congresswoman Castor in bringing this money home is so very important to our community.”
Gaskin-Capehart said as the PCUL continues to work on its Vision 2030 plan, which is a renewed focus on helping residents with economic mobility, not just the emergency assistance part, they are making sure wraparound services are available to help change lives.
“So that even though they’re taking advantage of this assistance and can finally breathe and have a break, that they’re looking forward to ways that they can change their lives and hopefully never have to have that assistance again,” stated Gaskin-Capehart.
Eligibility Criteria
- Applicant is a renter within St. Pete city limits or a landlord whose utility costs are part of a rental agreement
- Renter has experienced financial hardship from COVID-19 (inflation is sufficient)
- Renter is at risk of housing instability or homelessness
- Renter household is at or below 80 percent Area Median Income (AMI) – AMI information can be found at stpete.org/incomelimits
How to apply
Applicants will use an online portal via the City of St. Petersburg website to apply for assistance for both City of St. Petersburg utilities (water, trash, recycling) and Duke Energy utilities (electric).
Click here for the City Utility Relief Program
Click here for the Duke Energy Relief Program
Friday’s announcement coincides with the recent award of $2.35 million in federal appropriations through the Community Project Funding process, secured by U.S. Congresswoman Kathy Castor. One and a half million dollars will go to improvements to the Enoch D. Davis Center and $850,000 for the Deuces Rising affordable housing development.
The multi-service, multi-generational Enoch Davis Center requires improvements to meet the changing needs of the growing community. This project is a priority due to the aging facility needing substantial renovations and investment to serve a historically under-resourced community in south St. Pete. The monies will be used for assessments, initial design, planning, permitting, and technical services for improvements to the 18,000 sq. ft. facility.
The Deuces Rising Affordable Housing project funds will go to a first-of-its-kind, transformational housing and commercial development project in south St. Pete. As part of the project, the city will be constructing 24 townhomes to be sold to qualified first-time homebuyers based on their income and other factors. A dozen units will be reserved for households earning 80 percent or less of the Area Median Income (AMI). The remaining half will be slated for residents earning 120 percent or less of the AMI.
