ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — Home lifting, the process of raising an entire home off its slab several feet in the air and constructing below, is becoming a more popular option in communities across Florida — especially in coastal communities.
10 Tampa Bay previously spoke to Albert Jasuwan, the president of JAS Builders, who said it’s often the only way to protect against flooding in some communities.
“Demand since the hurricanes have gone way, way up. Everybody’s been flooded or been worried about their homes being flooded,” Jasuwan said. “Lifting makes sense for a lot of people, especially if you love your floor plan. You love your house, you love your neighborhood, you love the schools you’re in.”
Now, a first-of-its-kind state program has officially launched to help more homeowners elevate, as well as make it more accessible and affordable.
“Elevate Florida” — led by the Florida Division of Emergency Management — provides grant funding for those living in flood zones to lift their homes, rebuild damaged ones at a higher elevation and/or for communities to buy and tear down at-risk structures to maintain as open spaces.
The ultimate goal, however, is to mitigate widespread damage across neighborhoods.
Eligibility
Based on FDEM’s website, the following requirements apply to anyone who is interested in being a part of the Elevate Florida program:
- Be over the age of 18,
- Be a U.S. citizen,
- Be the legal property owner of a residential property in the state of Florida, and
- Be able to contribute up to 25% of the project’s total cost.
While the property does not need to have experienced flooding or damage in the past to be considered, FDEM says applications may be prioritized based on history of loss.
The property that is being submitted for a mitigation project can not be owned by a corporate or commercial entity. Individual renters are also not eligible.
How to apply
First, set up an account by heading to the Elevate Florida Portal. Once you’re registered, it should take about 20 minutes to fill out an application, assuming all the necessary and correct information is provided.
Here’s what you should have on hand to help expedite the submission review for your application, according to FDEM:
Razer’s Haptic Gaming Cushion Review
- Photos of the structure (all four sides including front, rear and both sides)
- Insurance declaration pages (if available)
- Elevation certificates (if applicable)
- Geotechnical reports (soil studies) (if applicable)
- Flooding photos/high water mark photos
- Insurance claim information
- Substantial Damage Determination letters received from local government (if applicable)
- Combined income as reflected on the most recent federal tax return
When you apply, you’ll be presented with four project options. Here’s what each of them means, according to the Florida Disaster website.
Structure elevation: Physically raising an existing structure.
Mitigation reconstruction: Constructing an improved, elevated building on the same site where an existing building and/or foundation has been partially demolished or destroyed. The new construction will be code-compliant and hazard-resistant.
This is the alternative to Structure Elevation when the structure is not sound enough to elevate, as determined during the application review.
Acquisition/demolition: A structure is purchased from voluntary sellers and demolished to be maintained by the local community as an open space. The local community must agree to participate in this type of project.
Wind mitigation: Measures that will reduce the risk of future wind damage to a structure, including alterations to the roof, windows, doors and other vulnerable parts.
How long will everything take?
Going through the program, including application review, approval, construction and closeout will take about one to two years. Here’s a breakdown of each stage based on FDEM.
Application review (One to four months): If initial eligibility criteria is met, pre-construction assessments and studies will be completed for your building and/or structure. All applications must also go through reviews for cost-effectiveness and environmental and historic preservation compliance.
Decision and approval (Two to three months): If the project meets all requirements, an application package will be prepared and submitted to FEMA for final approval and award.
After that, your project will go through bidding and contracting. The property owner cost-share will also be finalized before contracting and will be due at contract signing.
Construction (Three to nine months): After signing the contract and receiving the property owner cost-share, construction will officially start and the state will assign contractors.
Any occupants in the property/building must vacate during this process. Temporary housing assistance will be provided.
Closeout (One to three months): Once construction is done, a final inspection will be scheduled to close out the project. Property owners will be given a closeout packet as well with all necessary documentation.
How much will it cost?
Federal grant funding will cover at least 75% of the project cost, FDEM says. That means property owners will only need to invest up to 25%. The total construction cost for each property will be determined based on multiple factors, including project type, square footage of living space, foundation and construction type, and any necessary project activities.
Approved applicants will be given a detailed breakdown of their construction cost share and will have time to decide if they would like to move forward with the project’s next phase.
More information on costs, applications and the overall Elevate Florida project can be found on the Florida Disaster website.