Gov. DeSantis announces additional $500 million in hurricane recovery funding

FORT MYERS, Fla. — In a press conference Thursday, Gov. Ron DeSantis said more than $500 million in hurricane aid had been allocated for the state.

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He said this is the first time in the state’s history that any amount of money has been given out in such little time.

“There’s been no major hurricane in Florida’s history where up to this point, 112 days after, that even one dollar had been obligated,” DeSantis said.

Read: Gov. DeSantis announces over $58 million to help fund central Florida dune restoration

The governor has also launched a mobile trailer program for displaced homeowners.

He said this announcement is “healthy competition” for Federal Emergency Management Agency’s Homeless Program.

Read: Brevard County FEMA disaster recovery center to close

On Thursday, DeSantis announced $1 million from the Florida Disaster Fund would help teachers and school employees recover from Hurricane Ian’s impacts. The following school districts were hit hardest by the hurricane:

Lee County

Collier County

Sarasota County

Hardee County

DeSoto County

Read: Coastal property owners anxiously wait for permits to begin dune restoration

Click here to learn more about how to apply for state housing recovery programs.

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