Elevate Florida program, $400M in mitigation funds, explained at Port Richey City workshop

Michael Scott, constituent services manager for Elevate Florida, gave a community presentation in Port Richey City explaining the state's new Elevate Florida residential mitigation program and how homeowners can apply for elevating or rebuilding flood-prone homes. The program, Scott said, is funded by a combination of FEMA hazard mitigation funds and what he described as "swift current grant funding," and currently has $400,000,000 allocated.

The program aims to reduce future hurricane- and flood-related damage by providing a government-managed project-management approach and financial assistance that covers 75 percent of mitigation construction costs, with homeowners responsible for a 25 percent cost share. "We're not looking to dupe anybody," Scott told attendees. "By the time you get to that point in the process, you will be made aware of how much those costs are gonna be, and then you'll decide whether or not this program is gonna work for you."

Scott said eligible property types include single-family homes, multifamily structures, duplexes, townhouses, semi-detached apartments, and mobile and manufactured homes. Properties owned by an LLC or other business entity are not eligible; the property must be owned by an individual. For attached buildings such as condos or townhomes with shared ownership, Scott…