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Taylor County approves up to $5.76 million for Elevate Florida housing aid
Summary
The Taylor County Commission voted to allocate the remaining local share of hazard mitigation funds — about $5.76 million — to Elevate Florida to help eligible beachfront homeowners with elevation and other flood mitigation measures.
Taylor County commissioners on Aug. 19 approved using the remaining local Hazard Mitigation Grant Program funds to support Elevate Florida, a recovery program for coastal homeowners.
The board voted to allocate approximately $5,756,000 from the county’s available HMGP pool to Elevate Florida, staff told commissioners. The money is intended to help eligible Taylor County beachfront homeowners with elevation and other eligible mitigation measures. Commissioner Nederman moved for approval; Commissioner Moody seconded. The motion passed with the board recorded as “all in favor.”
County staff described the background and limits of the program. Under the rules discussed at the meeting, Elevate Florida funds cannot be used to fully reconstruct homes that were completely destroyed in V zones (high-velocity coastal areas). For partially damaged homes (less than 50% damaged), elevation work is an eligible expense under the program. Staff said the homeowner must provide a 25% share of the total cost and must maintain NFIP (National Flood Insurance Program) coverage on the structure to remain eligible.
Staff told the board that from the earlier allocation round, 21 projects received funding, eight projects were placed on a wait list, and roughly 40 applications remained unfunded. The presenter estimated a remaining local allocation of about $5,756,000 after subtracting already approved projects and a modest contingency cushion to cover later cost escalations.
Commissioners and staff discussed eligibility edge cases — for example, properties partly crossing FEMA flood-zone lines and properties listed as second homes or homesteads. Staff said property owners should still apply because the program uses a scoring system and some applicants may qualify despite local circumstances.
The board asked staff to return with a final accounting of the exact amount available after pending obligations are settled. Commissioners directed staff to proceed with the allocation to Elevate Florida so the funds can be administered to qualifying residents when final project lists are available.
The allocation is entirely grant-funded; no local general-fund appropriation was identified beyond the board’s authorization to spend the county’s HMGP allocation.
