Flood Mitigation Grants Program

How it works

Seminole County has authority to apply for FEMA flood mitigation grant funds on behalf of homeowners in the unincorporated section of the County. For homes inside a city, the municipality is the Agency Having Jurisdiction unless there is an interlocal agreement with the County. The process is for individual property owners seeking funding through Seminole County or the appropriate municipality.

FEMA mitigation grants are reimbursement-style grants. Homeowners spend project costs first, and then FEMA funds flow through the State and the County or municipality back to the homeowner as reimbursement.

What the money covers

The page says the grant can support three common project types:

• Home elevation
• Home buyout (acquisition/demolition)
• Demolition/reconstruction

The program notes that not all project costs are eligible, but eligible costs can include materials, labor, permits, and design. Eligible demolition/reconstruction costs are limited to a $220,000 federal share per property, although some eligible activities such as administrative allowances and permitting fees do not need to be included in that cap.

Amounts and matching

Projects are generally approved for 75% federal funding, meaning homeowners are reimbursed for 75% of the total dollars spent on the approved project. If a structure is designated as Repetitive Loss or Severe Repetitive Loss, FEMA may provide a higher federal share. Homeowners must sign a Funds Commitment Letter for the non-federal match.

How to apply

Project interest forms can be submitted at any time to the Seminole County Office of Emergency Management and are reviewed within 90 days by the Seminole County Resiliency Working Group.

For a specific project, applicants are directed to provide the required documents to Kathryn Valentine, Mitigation and Resiliency Manager, at the Seminole County Public Safety Building, 150 Eslinger Way, Sanford, FL 32773, by phone or email.

Timing and deadlines

Homeowners cannot begin work before a grant application has been submitted, reviewed, and approved by the applicable government agencies. The full process can take many months up to a few years, depending on the grant and project type. Construction may begin only after an approved grant agreement is awarded, and the grant is made on a reimbursement basis.