Have unpaid utility bills in St. Petersburg? New program offers help.
Renters in St. Petersburg who are struggling to keep up with rising utility bills have a new source of help, after the city and Duke Energy announced an assistance program at a news conference Friday.
The Renter Utility Relief Program is open to renters who live in St. Petersburg or their landlords if utility costs are included in part of their lease agreement. The renter must make 80% or less of the area median income — which translates to $48,650 for a single person or $69,500 for a family of four. And they must be at risk of housing instability or homelessness, according to the city website, plus have at least one past-due bill.
The portal to apply for help with a city utility bill such as water, trash or sewer is here. For unpaid Duke electricity bills, click this link.
The program is funded with $3 million in leftover federal pandemic relief money.
Despite the fact that the COVID-19 pandemic is largely over, the need for assistance remains, as the Tampa Bay area experiences a cost-of-living crisis brought on by runaway housing prices, spikes in utility bills and inflation. Erica Riggins, a city spokesperson, said that in the 48 hours after officials sent out a news release about the launch, the city had already received “several hundred” applications.
“In our post-pandemic economy, many individuals and families are facing financial challenges and falling behind on their bills and rent,” Mayor Ken Welch said. “To the residents of St. Petersburg, please know that we are committed to supporting you through these challenging times.”
