Taylor County plans funding allocation for Elevate Florida home recovery program

Taylor County is gearing up to support local homeowners through the Elevate Florida program, which aims to assist residents in elevating their homes to combat flooding risks. During a recent Board of County Commissioners meeting, officials discussed allocating a portion of the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) funds to this initiative.

The county has been allocated $31.8 million for various programs, but to utilize these funds, they must also provide a 25% match. The board is considering how much of this funding can be directed to Elevate Florida, which is specifically designed to help qualifying residents in Taylor County elevate their homes. Currently, around 50 residents have applied for assistance through this program.

This move is seen as a crucial step in enhancing community resilience against natural disasters, ensuring that local families can better protect their homes from potential flooding. The board is expected to finalize their recommendations soon, which will then be sent to the Florida Division of Emergency Management for approval.