Nearly two years after Hurricanes Helene and Milton devastated thousands of homes across Tampa Bay, state Sen. Nick DiCeglie says many homeowners are still waiting for the one thing they need most from the Elevate Florida program: an answer.
The Elevate Florida program uses federal funds to protect homes from hurricanes and flooding by physically lifting structures, rebuilding them to be stronger, or purchasing at-risk properties.
FEMA recently announced it has provided nearly $24 million for more than 50 Elevate Florida home elevation projects statewide, marking the clearest sign yet that the long-delayed mitigation program is beginning to move.
But for many homeowners in the low-lying Shore Acres neighborhood and elsewhere, the approvals have done little to ease uncertainty.
“We’re trying to find out who has been approved for the Elevate Florida program,” DiCeglie said when asked whether any of the approved projects are in Shore Acres. “There’s about 120 applicants from St. Petersburg. But many applications have not been completed.”
The Indian Rocks Beach Republican said his office has heard from residents for months who completed inspections, submitted paperwork and are still waiting to learn whether they’ll receive funding to elevate their homes.
“I’m frustrated; my constituents are frustrated,” he said. “Working with FEMA isn’t the easiest thing to do.”
DiCeglie’s office has been pressing officials overseeing the program to provide homeowners with clearer expectations and timelines, but for many residents, the delays have become more than an inconvenience as the years pass.
DiCeglie said. “The concept of the program itself – we’ve all been supportive of it, but we are getting close to the two-year anniversary of Hurricanes Milton and Helene.”
Without a decision, homeowners are left with difficult financial choices. “If residents are not ultimately approved for this program, they have to make the decision to elevate homes out of pocket, demolish the home, or sell and move to another community,” he said.
The uncertainty has been compounded by what DiCeglie described as poor communication between FEMA and the Florida Division of Emergency Management, which administers the Elevate Florida program.
“What the hell is going on?,” he said, is one of the most common questions he hears from residents in Shore Acres and other storm-damaged communities.
According to DiCeglie, homeowners seeking updates are often bounced between federal and state agencies without receiving clear answers.
“Why can’t I get anyone on the phone?” he said residents frequently ask.
In the meantime, many families remain under financial strain, paying mortgages on damaged homes while also covering the cost of temporary housing elsewhere.
Although FEMA says approvals are increasing, thousands of applications remain under review statewide. State emergency officials previously estimated roughly 1,300 homeowners were awaiting FEMA approval, with between 1,000 and 1,300 expected to ultimately receive assistance through the program.
For homeowners who have delayed rebuilding while waiting for a decision, another hurricane season has arrived before many know whether federal assistance will materialize.
DiCeglie said residents understand the program involves multiple agencies and federal oversight, but after nearly two years, they deserve certainty.
“My message is that these Floridians that live in Shore Acres and individuals across the state have likely experienced the most difficult experience,” he said. “They have been waiting two years. They just want answers.”
He said state and federal officials should move quickly to eliminate unnecessary delays.
“We need to expedite,” DiCeglie said. “If there’s bureaucracy, we need to cut through it.”
For homeowners still waiting, even a denial would be better than continued silence, because they need to plan their next move informatively.
“They need to know what comes next,” he said. “Right now, many of them simply don’t.”
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