Sharon Foster, a Florida homeowner, is awaiting crucial rental assistance and program approval after her home was severely damaged by Hurricanes Helene and Milton in 2024. Despite being approved for the state’s Elevate Florida program, designed to help rebuild and strengthen properties, significant delays in FEMA funding reviews have left her in a precarious financial situation as her federal rental aid is set to expire.
Key Takeaways
- Sharon Foster has been displaced from her home since September 26, 2024, following damage from two major hurricanes.
- The Elevate Florida program, a $400 million FEMA-funded initiative launched in early 2025, aims to help homeowners rebuild or harden their properties.
- FEMA funding reviews are a significant bottleneck, with state officials indicating projects can take two years or longer.
- Foster’s FEMA rental assistance is ending, leaving her responsible for both rent and her mortgage on an uninhabitable property.
- The Florida Division of Emergency Management has stated that initial FEMA funding determinations are beginning to be received, signaling potential progress.
A Home Devastated by Storms
Sharon Foster’s waterfront home in Bradenton, Florida, bore the brunt of Hurricanes Helene and Milton, leaving it uninhabitable. The storm surge caused extensive damage, forcing Foster out of her residence on September 26, 2024. The visible damage, including tattered tarps and cracked surfaces, paints a grim picture of the destruction.
The Elevate Florida Program’s Challenges
Launched in early 2025, Elevate Florida is a substantial $400 million program funded by FEMA, intended to assist homeowners in elevating, rebuilding, or fortifying their homes against future storms. However, the program has encountered significant delays. State officials attribute this to the lengthy process of FEMA reviewing applications and approving funding before construction can commence, a timeline that can extend to two years or more. The demand for the program also far exceeded the available funding, with approximately 90% of the over 12,000 applicants being denied or withdrawing, while others remain under review.
Waiting for Approval and Facing Financial Hardship
Foster, who was approved for the Elevate Florida program, is still awaiting FEMA’s final approval for the demolition and elevation of her home. This prolonged wait has coincided with the expiration of her FEMA rental assistance. Come March 2025, she will be responsible for paying both her rent and her mortgage on a home she cannot live in. The inability to repair or elevate her home also presents challenges in securing homeowner’s insurance.
Agency Responses and Future Outlook
When approached for comment, FEMA directed inquiries to the state, emphasizing that Florida manages the Elevate Florida program. FEMA stated its role is to provide funding, technical assistance, and ensure compliance with federal law. A spokesperson for the Florida Division of Emergency Management confirmed that the program is beginning to receive initial FEMA funding determinations. This development suggests that the program is moving towards confirming project types and property conditions, paving the way for construction preparation. Despite this update, Foster expresses the difficulty of the extended waiting period, highlighting the emotional toll and the fear of potentially losing her home.