The Elevate Florida program is a state-run mitigation initiative funded by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). It’s designed to help Floridians protect their homes against future hurricane and flood damage. Qualifying homeowners can receive up to 75% of eligible project costs to cover everything from raising a home above flood level to rebuilding it to stronger standards, adding wind protection features, or (in some cases) having a local government buy and demolish the property for community use.
What does Elevate Florida cover?
The program covers four project types:
|
Project type |
What it covers |
|
Structure elevation |
Raises an existing home above flood level to reduce flood exposure |
|
Mitigation reconstruction |
Rebuilds a home to a stronger, code-compliant standard — used when a home isn't structurally sound enough to be elevated |
|
Wind mitigation |
Adds wind protection features such as hurricane clips or straps on the roof, heavy-duty deadbolts and hinges on doors, storm shutters, and impact-resistant doors and windows |
|
Acquisition/demolition |
A local government buys an eligible property from a willing owner and removes the structure, turning the land into open space for the community |
Elevate Florida is funded by two federal sources: FEMA's Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA) Swift Current Program and the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program. Approved homeowners generally receive up to 75% of eligible project costs and are responsible for the remaining 25%. (For mitigation reconstruction specifically, federal funding for hard construction costs like demolition, framing, and flooring is capped separately — at $375,000 as of September 2025 — with homeowners covering any hard costs above that cap in addition to their 25% share.
The state coordinates inspections, engineering, and construction vendors on your behalf, so you don't have to arrange these services on your own.
Who qualifies for Elevate Florida?
You must meet the following requirements to be eligible for Elevate Florida grant funding:
-
Over 18 years old
-
A U.S. citizen, non-citizen nation, or qualified alien
-
Legal owner of an eligible Florida residential property (single-family homes, condos, townhomes, manufactured homes, and small multifamily properties like duplexes or triplexes owned by individuals, not companies)
-
Able to cover 25% of the project cost
Your property doesn’t need to have a flood history to qualify. However, priority is given to homes that have been substantially damaged, have a history of flood loss, or are located in a Special Flood Hazard Area.
Is Elevate Florida still accepting applications?
No. The application period ran from Feb. 7 through April 11, 2025. The portal is now closed to new applicants. All applicants have received notification about their initial status.
Elevate Florida received more than 12,000 applications — far more than the program can fund. About 90% of applicants were denied or withdrew, and the program's original goal of helping around 2,000 homes has since narrowed: more recent state estimates suggest 1,000 to 1,300 homes will ultimately receive funding.
Processing has also been slower than expected. A federal policy requiring the Department of Homeland Security secretary to personally review and approve any grant or contract award over $100,000 — a threshold most elevation and reconstruction projects exceed — has contributed to delays nationwide, including for Elevate Florida. Even so, approvals continue to move forward on a rolling basis: FEMA reported providing nearly $24 million for more than 50 Elevate Florida projects statewide as of July 2026, up from just 16 funded projects a month earlier.
How wind mitigation and elevation work can affect your home insurance
In Florida, insurers are required to offer wind mitigation credits or discounts (savings on your insurance premium, or how much you pay for coverage) for qualifying home hardening improvements. You’ll need a wind mitigation inspection certificate from a qualified inspector to receive one.
Separately, the My Safe Florida Home Program offers up to $10,000 to help cover mitigation and inspection costs. For the current program cycle, eligibility is limited to low- and moderate-income homeowners:
-
Low-income applicants (roughly 80% or below their county's median income) receive the full grant with no match required
-
Moderate-income applicants (up to 120% of county median income) get a two-to-one state match and must have a home insured for $700,000 or less
It’s important to note that grant funding is not a replacement for insurance. Homeowners insurance covers many perils (or causes of loss). However, it typically excludes flood damage — for that, you’ll need to carry flood insurance. Depending on which Elevate Florida program funds your home project, you may be required to carry flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program for the life of the structure.
Elevating your home can reduce your flood risk and help you save money on flood insurance premiums.
How to check your Elevate Florida application or get help
You can check your Elevate Florida application or get help by logging into the Elevate Florida portal or by calling 1-877-ELEV8-FL (877-353-8835) Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. ET. Enter your tracking number to be routed to your assigned case manager.
Applicants should also watch for requests from their case manager. You may need to fill out and sign documents, such as:
-
Notice of Voluntary Interest
-
Privacy Act Release
-
Right of Entry Waiver
-
Assignment of Coverage
-
Pre-Mitigation Agreement
-
Insurance or property records
-
Duplication of Benefits (DOB) Disclosure
-
Other project-specific documentation
Additional federal review steps were added in June 2025, delaying timelines nationwide for award decisions, including those for the Elevate Florida program. If your project has been approved but funding hasn't arrived yet, this is often tied to the federal review delays discussed earlier. Check the Elevate Florida portal for updates, or reach out to your assigned case manager directly.
Frequently asked questions
What is the status of Elevate Florida?
The Elevate Florida portal is closed to new applicants, and everyone who applied has received notification of their initial status. Existing applications continue moving through state and federal review, with FEMA funding decisions made on a rolling basis. Federal review requirements have contributed to longer timelines, though approvals continue to move forward despite the backlog.
What is the Florida $10,000 grant for homeowners?
The $10,000 grant usually refers to the My Safe Florida Home program, a separate initiative that helps eligible homeowners pay for hurricane mitigation improvements. Depending on household income, the program either covers the full $10,000 with no match required or matches $2 for every $1 a homeowner spends, up to $10,000. It's not the same as Elevate Florida, which covers up to 75% of the cost of raising, reconstructing, or hardening a home against future hurricane and flood damage.
How much funding does Elevate Florida have?
Elevate Florida launched with approximately $400 million in federal funding from FEMA's Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA) Swift Current Program and the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP). The program originally aimed to help around 2,000 homes, though more recent estimates suggest 1,000 to 1,300 homes will ultimately receive funding.
How does Elevate Florida differ from other programs?
Elevate Florida is a federally funded, state-run program that focuses on major residential reconstruction projects for hurricane- and flood-prone homes, including elevation, reconstruction, wind mitigation, and buyouts for the most at-risk properties. Programs such as My Safe Florida Home provide free wind mitigation inspections and small grants directly to homeowners to help pay for approved upgrades to strengthen their homes against hurricanes. Unlike Elevate Florida, My Safe Florida Home allows homeowners to choose their own licensed contractor.
Do I need a history of flooding to qualify for Elevate Florida?
No. However, since Elevate Florida received more than 12,000 applications but expects to fund only a fraction of that number, priority goes to homes in the most at-risk flood zones and counties.
Can wind mitigation upgrades lower my home insurance premium?
Yes, qualifying upgrades can lead to home insurance discounts and lower premiums in Florida. A qualified wind mitigation inspector will document the improvements and provide a certificate for your insurer to determine if you qualify.
