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Elevate Florida: FDEM's Residential Mitigation Program

Elevate Florida: FDEM's Residential Mitigation Program

Program Overview

Elevate Florida is a first-of-its-kind, groundbreaking statewide residential mitigation program. Led by the Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM), this program is designed to protect homes and communities by reducing damage caused during natural disasters like hurricanes and floods.

For more information or to log into your Elevate Florida Portal account, please visit the Elevate Florida Portal webpage. 

What may be affecting timing:  

Starting June 2025, federal requirements included additional review steps for grants and funding approvals. These changes extended timelines for award decisions nationwide, including for Florida Property Owners.  

Inspection and Assessment Services

FDEM has awarded a pool of Vendors to provide Inspection and Assessment services for the Elevate Florida Program. Link to Notice of Intent to Award in the Vendor Information Portal (VIP) on My Florida Marketplace: https://vendor.myfloridamarketplace.com/search/bids/detail/12312

Construction Services

FDEM is seeking to establish a pool of qualified Contractors to provide Construction Services to implement the statewide residential mitigation grant program, Elevate Florida. Please see the solicitation documents at the following My Florida Marketplace link: https://vendor.myfloridamarketplace.com/search/bids/detail/12703

FDEM hosted a Pre-Bid Conference on Monday, May 19, 2025 at 11 AM ET to give vendors an opportunity to learn about the program and ask questions. Please visit the following to view the recording: Pre-Bid Conference Recording. All questions should be submitted to the Procurement Officer by the deadline outline in the RFQ on MFMP.

 

Elevate Florida is funded by two federal programs: the Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA) Swift Current Program and the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP), which have distinct application submission deadlines. Elevate Florida submitted all FMA Swift Current applications by the deadline of July 2025 and is on track to submit all eligible HMGP applications by the HMGP deadline of May 2026.

There are five stages with estimated time periods of:

Stage 1 Application Submittal: February 2025 – April 2025

  • Elevate Florida accepted applications from February 7 to April 11, 2025. The program received more than 12,000 applications from residents in 64 Florida counties, demonstrating significant interest from Florida Property Owners. 
  • When submitting their project applications, applicants selected from four project types: Structure Elevation, Mitigation Reconstruction, Wind Mitigation, and Acquisition/Demolition. 

Stage 2 Application Review: April 2025 – Spring 2026

  • The Elevate Florida application review process evaluates whether an application is complete and meets all requirements before it is sent to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) for final funding determination.  
  • Elevate Florida prioritizes applications based on specific criteria. This process occurs on rolling basis, so applications progress at different times. For details, see Figure 1: Prioritization Factors

Stage 3 Decision and Approval: July 2025 – Mid 2026

Following State approval, Elevate Florida submits prioritized applications to FEMA for funding approval on a rolling basis. Elevate Florida works closely with FEMA to answer any questions that may arise. Elevate Florida is structured to provide more hands-on support and bypass the structure of a typical FEMA-funded process, but Elevate Florida cannot expedite FEMA’s decision timeline. Some key steps – including obtaining funding award – still depend on FEMA’s review process, which can take time and require oversight. Once FEMA makes a determination regarding a project’s funding, the Property Owner will receive an email or letter notifying them of the outcome. Each property and project type is different; therefore, the end-to-end timeline from application submission to construction completion can vary.

The Elevate Florida program publishes monthly snapshots that reflect the most recent, accurate timeline that can be found on the Elevate Florida website here: Elevate Florida | Florida Disaster.

  • Every application must also pass an EHP review, which is FEMA's review process for ensuring the protection and enhancement of environmental, historic, and cultural resources. This may require a more detailed assessment and extend the review timeline. For more guidance on EHP, please visit the Property Owner Support Library in the Elevate Florida portal.
  • If a project is awarded, Elevate Florida selects an approved construction vendor and creates a detailed budget that includes construction, inspections, and temporary housing (if needed).
  • Before construction can begin, the Property Owner needs to sign the Homeowner Grant Agreement – a contract between FDEM and the Property Owner(s). Through this agreement, the Property Owner(s) agrees to the scope of services, including construction services delivered by the construction vendor. This agreement will include the total project cost, Federal cost-share, and Property Owners' cost-share.
  • During construction, the Property Owner and their family may need to temporarily relocate from their home. For Property Owners in Elevation and Mitigation Reconstruction projects, temporary relocation is covered by the program. Tenants in Elevation, Mitigation Reconstruction, and Acquisition/Demolition projects who qualify for Uniform Relocation Assistance (URA) are also eligible for temporary relocation services. Property Owners will be given a temporary relocation cost estimate and can opt in or opt out of temporary relocation services before signing the Homeowner Grant Agreement.

    Stage 4 Construction: Upon FEMA Approval

  • Elevate Florida will assign a construction vendor, who will then conduct a bid walk or design meeting. Depending on the type of project, the Property Owner may be required to attend.
  • The construction phase for Elevate Florida projects may begin after the Homeowner Grant Agreement is signed, the Property Owner’s cost-share is received, and occupants have temporarily relocated, as required.
  • For Acquisition/Demolition projects, the Property Owner signs the contract to transfer ownership of the property to the local community. Compensation is based on the fair market value of the home determined during the application review phase, less the 25 percent cost-share for legal fees, demolition costs, tenant temporary housing (as applicable), and the cost-share for the actual acquisition itself.
  • Throughout the Construction phase of Elevation, Mitigation Reconstruction, and Wind Mitigation projects, independent inspectors check that the work meets safety codes, project guidelines, and grant requirements.
  • After construction is complete, a final inspection takes place to confirm the project meets all Florida Building Code guidelines, grant requirements and local building codes and regulations. The Property Owner can return home once their local building official issues a Certificate of Occupancy (CO) (authorizing occupancy) or a Certificate of Completion (CC) (confirming the permitted work is complete), as applicable.

Stage 5 Closeout: January 2027+

  • During the final stage, Elevate Florida will conduct a final review to confirm all project activities, documentation, and financial requirements have been completed in accordance with the corresponding grant guidelines then work with FEMA to finalize the project closeout.
  • Property Owners will receive a closeout packet containing their final project documentation. Property Owners must provide proof of an updated and satisfactory National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) insurance policy, if applicable, before the grant can officially close out. The closeout packet will include the documentation that is necessary to update and maintain NFIP insurance policies, such as as-built drawings and final Elevation Certificate.

Federal grant funding will cover up to 75 percent of the project’s cost, meaning Property Owners will need to invest 25 percent of their own funds into the project. The Property Owner must sign a Pre-Mitigation Agreement for Elevate Florida inspection and design services with FDEM, which will provide an estimate of the initial inspection costs. With this agreement, the Property Owner accepts and agrees to the cost-share requirement to fund initial inspections. The cost-share for pre-construction inspections is required to prepare applications for Federal submission and help determine next steps for awarded properties; Property Owners will be required to provide 25 percent of initial inspection costs prior to inspections being completed.

Upon FEMA project approval, the Property Owner will receive a detailed breakdown of their construction cost-share. They will have time to decide whether to proceed to the next stage before signing the Homeowner Grant Agreement and providing the construction cost-share. Property Owners will be required to pay 25 percent of the cost-share for Structural Elevation, Mitigation Reconstruction, and Wind Mitigation projects; however, cost-share for Acquisition/Demolition projects will be deducted from the offer price. Cost-share will also include temporary relocation costs (where applicable) and will be collected at contract signing. Factors such as project type, the size of the living space, foundation or construction type, and necessary project activities (such as design and temporary relocation costs) all impact the overall project cost.

In September 2025, the federal funding cap for mitigation reconstruction projects through Elevate Florida was raised from $220,000 to $375,00 to reflect rising construction costs. Now, federal support for eligible "hard costs" (such as demolition, utility connections, framing, and flooring) is capped at $375,000, up from the previous $220,000. The cap applies only to direct building expenses and does not include design, permits, or accessibility upgrades. Property Owners will have to pay for all hard costs above the hard cost funding cap, in addition to their cost-share of the project.

No additional assistance is available from the State of Florida to cover the Property Owner’s project cost (25 percent) responsibilities for Elevate Florida. Property Owners can utilize various funding options to cover their project cost-share, including personal savings or securing loans. In addition, they may use funds from a loan from the Small Business Administration (SBA) to cover the Property Owner cost-share for mitigation activities. Property owners may also seek assistance from county programs or other entities such as voluntary or nonprofit organizations.

NFIP policy holders may be eligible to receive funding through NFIP, if they qualify for Increased Cost of Compliance (ICC). ICC consists of up to $30,000 coverage, which is a part of most standard flood insurance policies under the NFIP to assist in reducing out of pocket costs for eligible activities and may contribute to the cost-share required by the Property Owner. All Property Owners with active NFIP policies will sign the Assignment of Coverage D form during the application process. Elevate Florida will work with NFIP, through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), to file claims for mitigation activities for policies eligible to receive funds. Funds received from NFIP may be utilized to offset the Property Owner cost-share. In cases where the Property Owner has no cost-share, or when the received funds exceed the Property Owner cost-share, the funds will be utilized to offset the federal share of the project.

For questions, technical support, or application assistance, submit inquiries through the “Contact Us” page on the portal or email info@elevatefl.org.

 

You can also call the Elevate Florida contact center Monday – Friday from 7 a.m. – 7 p.m. ET at 877-ELEV8FL (877-353-8835). TTY services are available by dialing 711.

The Elevate Florida program is proud to partner with communities across the state to expand mitigation efforts and help more Floridians protect their homes. Thanks to the commitment of the counties below, the program is able to leverage funds and maximize resources to assist additional families throughout these communities.

 

  • Alachua 
  • Brevard 
  • Broward 
  • Charlotte 
  • Citrus 
  • Collier 
  • Columbia 
  • DeSoto 
  • Dixie 
  • Duval 
  • Flager 
  • Hernando 
  • Highlands 
  • Hillsborough 
  • Indian River 
  • Lake 
  • Lee 
  • Leon 
  • Levy 
  • Liberty 
  • Madison 
  • Manatee 
  • Martin 
  • Miami-Dade 
  • Nassau 
  • Orange 
  • Osceola 
  • Palm Beach 
  • Pasco 
  • Polk 
  • Sarasota 
  • St. Johns 
  • St. Lucie 
  • Suwannee 
  • Taylor 
  • Union 
  • Volusia 

 

  • Elevate Florida Cumulative Final Public Notice
    • A Public Notice is required when states will be using federal funds to conduct activities that may be located within, affect, or be affected by floodplains or wetlands. The Cumulative Final Public Notice for the Elevate Florida Program was published on February 14, 2025.
  • Elevate Florida Cumulative Final Public Notice (Update 7/28/2025) 
    • The previous Public Notice was amended and reposted to include language about the Flood Mitigation Assistance Swift Current program. The updated Cumulative Final Public Notice was published on July 28, 2025.
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Florida Division of Emergency Management

2489 Shumard Oak Blvd, Tallahassee, FL 32311 

Phone: 850-815-4000

For Florida Relay Service:
Dial 711 (TDD/TTY)        

Weather Outlook

Thursday, April 23, 2026

... Elevated Wildfire Conditions Persist Statewide with Critically Low Relative Humidities and Ongoing Drought... Winds Gusting Upwards of 20-25 mph Along the I-95 Corridor this Afternoon... Isolated Shower or Storm Possible Across the Northern Panhandle and South-Central Florida... Highs in the 70s and 80s; Lows in the 50s and 60s... Patchy Fog Possible Across the Panhandle Tonight... Moderate to High Risk for Rip Currents for all Panhandle and East Coast Beaches...

 

 

 

 

 

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