Elevate Florida Applications Close Soon

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — The deadline to apply for the state's new storm protection project for homes is Friday, April 11.

Elevate Florida is a new, one-time program funded by FEMA that pays a minimum of 75% of the costs to elevate, rebuild or harden against wind and structure damage by storms. It is different from the Flood Mitigation Assistance Grant Program (FMA) in that residents can cut through layers of bureaucracy and finish their projects in 18 months or less instead of the typical three-year wait through FMA.

"I really want to stress the deadline is 7 p.m. Friday," Citrus County Housing Director Michelle Alford said. "Anybody even questioning whether to apply for the program should do so, you can always withdraw at any time. You won't have the opportunity if you don't apply, and this is a one-time program."

Each year, the federal government funds $120 million nationally for FMA. However, Elevate Florida is making $400 million available to Florida residents only.

Homeowners will be able to protect their properties in one of three ways: elevating their homes, reconstructing damaged properties or by purchasing at-risk homes.

The Florida Division of Emergency Services is now accepting applications through 7 p.m. Friday. To apply, visit the department’s website.

"The majority of those are for structural elevations that include lifting the home out of the floodplain," Crystal River Growth Management Director Carly Hanson said.

Hanson said that to understand the benefit of the new program, you have to look at previous mitigation programs.

"Last year, the city of Crystal River applied for 36 residents for home elevation programs," Hanson said. "That's under two different elevation grants. And although we're hopeful to hear positive news about those applicants soon, we are still in the process of answering requests for information from the state and FEMA. It's been about a year now that we've been in that process.

"The major benefit of this Elevate Florida program is the state's advertising an 18-month start-to-finish deadline. We are very happy to hear about that accelerated timeline. Ultimately, with the city of Crystal River, having two storms back-to-back is really devastating. So, the quicker we can get these homes elevated, the better for everyone involved. I see that the main benefit of this program is the timeline. I'm hoping that they can stick with it. I know it is a really aggressive timeline, but they're saying they can get applicants the award information in three months, whether or not they've qualified. To have some definite approval or to know where your application is I think is ultimately what homeowners want the most."

To become a potential participant of the Elevate Florida program, applicants must be over the age of 18; be a U.S. citizen; be the legal property owner of a residential property in the state of Florida; and be able to contribute up to 25 percent of the project's total cost.

Successful applicants would be able to physically raise an existing structure above the floodplain. Applicants can also rebuild a partially or fully destroyed building on an elevated level on the existing site or foundation. They may also be eligible for hardening their home against wind damage.

While the entire process is roughly half the time as previous mitigation programs, some homeowners remain anxious as it can take between three to seven months for project review and approval.

Alford said the county is there to help answer questions and encourages people to visit the County Housing Services website to link to the Elevate portal or to find out more information on the program.

Ed Heckman, who lives outside city limits, applied last month with an assist by the county in filling out his application.

He has a state case manager, but she is unable to tell him how long he has to wait for the review and approval process to take. Meanwhile, Heckman is spending money on renting another place and he has contractors standing by ready to go to work.

"They tell me it's in review," Heckman said. "When they say emergency, I thought they meant immediately. It is pretty hard to pay contractors with no money."

Heckman has also been waiting on FEMA money so in the meantime, he is looking at paying for living expenses and interior home repairs out of pocket.

Elevate Florida officials say it will take between three to nine months, once the contract is signed, for the work to be completed. The program does provide temporary housing assistance during the construction phase.

Alford said last month the "program basically takes the burden off local government and it helps expedite the application and construction projects for residents" and reduces the bureaucracy.

"We all know due to the quantity and severity of our storms over the last couple of years we have received overwhelming response from homeowners wanting to mitigate their properties," she said. "They don't have to go through the county, so it takes away that extra layer."

Copyright © 2025 Citrus County Chronicle. All rights reserved.