The 2024 devastating hurricane season has governments investing in elevating residential properties.
The Florida Division of Emergency Management’s Elevate Florida residential mitigation program began accepting applications in February for up to 75% in federal grant funding toward the cost of certain improvement projects, like structure elevations.
About 90%-95% of unelevated homes on Anna Maria Island took on water and sustained damage during hurricanes Helene and Milton in 2024, according to island officials.
Eligible projects can be broken down into four categories, including:
- Structure elevation — physically raising an existing structure;
- Mitigation reconstruction — constructing an improved, elevated building on the same site where an existing building and/or foundation has been demolished or destroyed;
- Acquisition/demolition — voluntarily selling a structure to be demolished and maintained by the local community as open space. However, the local community must agree to participate.
- Wind Mitigation — reducing the risk of wind damage to structures with alterations to roofs, windows, doors and other vulnerable components. An alternative route for properties that are not sturdy enough to elevate.
Property owners must be U.S. citizens over 18 years old and able to contribute up to 25% of the proposed project cost to be eligible to participate in the program.
Renters are not eligible to participate but are encouraged to share information about the program with property owners.
Properties proposed for a mitigation project must be owned by individuals, not commercial entities such as limited liability companies.
Eligible properties do not need to have experienced flooding or damage to be considered but applications may be prioritized based on history of loss, according to floridadisaster.org.
Besides funding up to 75% in project costs, participation in Elevate Florida also provides property owners assistance with the permitting, contracting and construction processes.
The DEM estimates a period of one-four months to review an application, then two-three months to clear a project through the Federal Emergency Management Agency for final approval and award.
An approved project will undergo bidding and contracting, assigned by the state, and the property owner’s cost-share will be finalized by contract.
During construction, occupants of a structure will be required to vacate but temporary housing assistance will be provided.
After construction is completed, the DEM estimates a timeline of one-three months before a final inspection to close out the project.
Property owners can apply to participate in the program through the Elevate Florida portal on floridadisaster.org.
They also can expedite the state’s application review process by providing photos of a structure, insurance declarations, elevation certificates, geotechnical reports, flooding and/or high-water mark photos, substantial damage determination letters and more.