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Flood Mitigation

Each year, thousands of properties nationwide flood repeatedly. Often built before floodplain management regulations took effect, these properties continue to place a severe strain on the National Flood Insurance fund.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has several financial assistance programs available for communities and property owners to acquire, retrofit or fund flood mitigation projects.

Financial Assistance Programs

The following programs are managed through the Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM) Mitigation Program:

  • Flood Mitigation Assistance Program – A federal program that provides annual funding for projects to protect flooded structures that are insured by the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).
  • Hazard Mitigation Grant Program – A federal, post-disaster program that funds projects to protect public or private property from future disasters.

These reimbursement funding programs require the local government to “sponsor” the applicant from the application stage through the completion of the project.

If you live in unincorporated Pinellas County, call (727) 464-7700 for more information. If you live in a city, contact your local jurisdiction for more information.

Another source of financial assistance available to a flood insurance policyholder of a repetitive-loss property is Increased Cost of Compliance coverage. This rider on your flood insurance policy provides additional coverage to help underwrite a flood mitigation project required by code as a condition to rebuild the damaged building. It can also help pay the non-federal portion of a cost-shared retrofitting project funded under the mitigation programs described above.

Additionally, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) offers a competitive loan to finance the mitigation of single-family residences. Section 203(k) rehab mortgage insurance enables homebuyers and homeowners to finance both the purchase (or refinancing) of a house and the cost of its rehabilitation through a single mortgage or to finance the rehabilitation of their existing home.

Flood Mitigation Assistance Program Documentation

The following documentation is required to determine the applicability of a potential mitigation project for the FEMA Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA) grant program, administered by the Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM). This documentation is required to submit a sub-application to the State. Submission of this documentation does not guarantee future approval of an award.

The following items are required to be submitted by Aug. 23, 2024:

  • Property Owner Voluntary Interest Acknowledgement [request via email from mmoore@pinellas.gov]
  • Property Owner Notice of Interest Form [request via email from mmoore@pinellas.gov]
  • Property Owner Acknowledgement of Certain Conditions [request via email from mmoore@pinellas.gov]
  • Documentation verifying the original square footage of the building (i.e., copies of tax records or other verifiable means)
  • Copy of the Declaration page from the building’s current NFIP flood insurance policy
  • Elevation Certificate for the building

The following items will be required to be submitted later:

  • Duplication of Benefits Form
  • Acknowledgement of Conditions contract
  • Property Historical Damage Worksheet
  • Three detailed quotes from a licensed contractor. Quotes must include:
    • Detailed description of proposed activities
    • Line-item budget
    • Detailed schedule or timeline
    • Viability Letter stating the building can or cannot be elevated.
    • Sketch of the proposed building
    • Copy of Contractor License
    • Copy of Contractor Insurance
    • Copy of Riggers Insurance (only if elevating existing building)
    • Current pictures of the building in color (front, left side, right side, and rear)
    • (The above lists are not inclusive and additional documentation may be required.)

Reminder: Submit all completed forms via email to mmoore@pinellas.gov.

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