BONITA SPRINGS, Fla. — Florida homeowners say they are devastated after being denied from the Elevate Florida program, touted as a “first-of-its-kind” initiative to help protect homes from storm damage, according to its .
“All our furniture was floating,” Aprile O’Reilly, a Bonita Springs resident, said as she scrolled through photos of her home.
Aprile sent WINK Investigates photos of what she says her and her husband’s house, which sits near the Imperial River, looked like following Hurricane Ian, Helene, and Milton.
“We lost so much,” Stephen O’Reilly, Aprile’s husband, said.
Damage caused by Hurricane Ian
Stephen O’Reilly
Damage caused by Hurricane Milton and Helene
Stephen O’Reilly
In February, the O’Reilly’s applied to the program and for months, believed it would help them prepare for future hurricanes.
According to its website, Elevate Florida started accepting applications from homeowners in February, with more than $400 million in federal funding to help homeowners protect their properties.
Nearly six months after applying for the program, the O’Reilly’s received a letter stating they were denied.
“I mean, what are we gonna do?” Stephen said. “I can’t go through another flood.”
The O’Reilly’s aren’t the only ones.
Their neighbors were denied by Elevate Florida, too.
“I waited for that year thinking we were going to get funded,” Tom Masters, another Bonita Springs resident, said.
In October, , a North Fort Myers homeowner who was also denied from the program.
“I can’t be stuck waiting for the government to work,” Drake said at the time.
With nowhere else to turn, homeowners say they’re left tapping into their life savings to elevate their homes.
“Significant dollars,” Bill Athey, who also lives near the Imperial River, said.
As more homeowners come forward with denial letters, one question remains.
“Where did that $400 million go?” Masters said.
WINK Investigates turns to localities for answers
Since April, WINK Investigates has repeatedly called, emailed, and submitted records requests to the Florida Division of Emergency Management [FDEM], which oversees the Elevate Florida program.
For months, we emailed FDEM asking how much of the $400 million-in-funding has been spent and how much of that funding remains.
On numerous occasions, FDEM either did not respond to our email or forwarded us to the .
The dashboard shows how many homeowners, county-by-county, have received funds for acquisition and demolition, but does not disclose how much of Elevate Florida’s total funding has been used.
“I don’t think they’re being transparent with the news,” Stephen said.
WINK Investigates also emailed FDEM asking how many homeowners were approved and denied from the program.
The dashboard shows how many homeowners received a decision on their application, but does not break down what the decision was.
When WINK Investigates followed up in emails with FDEM, seeking clarity on how many homeowners were approved and denied from the program, we either did not receive a response or were forwarded back to the Elevate Florida dashboard.
“Be transparent,” Athey said. “Be transparent. Let us know: A) who’s getting the money, and B) you know, why we got denied.”
WINK Investigates also emailed the Federal Emergency Management Agency [FEMA], the federal agency that allocates funding to Elevate Florida, to see if they could answer our questions.
“Elevate Florida is a state-managed program administered by the Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM),” a FEMA spokesperson, who did not include their name, said in-part in an email. “FEMA is not involved in the review, approval, denial, or administration of Elevate Florida applications, and we do not maintain data related to the program.”
When state and federal agencies did not answer our questions, WINK Investigates emailed 15 localities in our area to see if they had information on how many of its residents applied for the program, and how many were approved or denied.
“My issue isn’t with the federal government because we have flood insurance that was very helpful after the floods,” Masters said. “It’s this particular program, right? Where did that $400 million go?
In emails, spokespersons for seven localities referred us back to FDEM.
Glades County and North Port spokespersons said they either hadn’t seen any residents who had applied or stated there were no applications submitted by its residents.
Hendry County and Estero spokespersons said in emails they’re “looking into it” or “will try to find out.”
Spokespersons for Collier County and Naples forwarded our emails to other departments or local representatives who have yet to respond.
“I’m fighting to see where this money went,” Stephen said.
Punta Gorda was the only one to respond with a breakdown of their residents’ applications.
In an email, a spokesperson said “198 households applied for Elevate Florida, including both city and non-city residents.”
Five Punta Gorda applicants were approved, but 182 applicants were denied, according to a Punta Gorda spokesperson.
Bonita Springs is the only locality in our area that did not respond to our email inquiry.
Meanwhile, the O’Reillys and their neighbors in Bonita Springs say they want a breakdown too.
“Who got approved and what was the criteria for those people to get approved?” Stephen said.
WINK Investigates seeks assistance from state lawmakers
WINK Investigates emailed Governor Ron DeSantis’ office to see if they could share information responsive to our questions.
“I am forwarding this email to FDEM, they can assist you with your request,” DeSantis’ Press Secretary Molly Best said in an email.
WINK Investigates also emailed Florida Rep. Jenna Persons-Mulicka (R-Fort Myers) and Rep. Mike Giallombardo (R-Cape Coral), asking for their assistance getting answers.
A spokesperson for Rep. Persons-Mulicka said its office contacted FDEM on our behalf.
“We have contacted FDEM on your behalf regarding your inquiry,” District Aide to Rep. Jenna Persons-Mulicka, Kevin Vilorio, said in-part in an email. “I will provide an update as soon as we hear back the Division. Alternatively, the folks at FDEM may also contact you directly.”
A spokesperson for Rep. Giallombardo said its office asked FDEM to respond to our requests as quickly as possible.
“We have reached out to the FDEM on your behalf and requested they respond to your request as quickly as possible,” District Aide to Rep. Mike Giallombardo, Priscilla Skupny, said in an email.
WINK Investigates emailed State Senator Jonathan Martin (R-Fort Myers) and U.S. Senator Rick Scott (R-Florida).
“Elevate Florida is run through the state of Florida’s FDEM,” Cameron Gambini, press secretary to U.S. Sen. Scott, said in-part in an email. “However, please feel free to share any of the stories… we are happy to see if we can be helpful!”
Sen. Martin’s office did not respond to our email.
While we wait for answers, the O’Reilly’s and their neighbors say they’re losing money and sleep.
“I have to take Ambien at night to go to sleep because it’s just running through your mind all the time,” Stephen said.
WINK Investigates sent this story to Sen. Scott’s Office and will continue pressing FDEM for answers. We are committed to following this story and will update you as we learn more.
Below, you’ll find a full list of the emails WINK Investigates received when we contacted localities for information on Elevate Florida:
Bonita Springs
WINK Investigates emailed Bonita Springs Director of Communications & Facilities Lora Taylor but did not receive a response.
Cape Coral
“Elevate Florida is a State program that is administered at the County level, so the City of Cape Coral has very limited involvement and does not track application outcomes, approval/denial counts, or total funding distributed to individual homeowners,” Cape Coral City Manager Melissa Mickey said in part in an email. “Your best source for the data you’re looking for will be Lee County and/or the appropriate State agency that oversees Elevate Florida.”
Charlotte County
“Elevate Florida is a state program through the Florida Division of Emergency Management,” Charlotte County Public Safety Public Information Officer Ashley Turner said in part in an email. “They would be the best ones to reach out to about that specific data.”
Collier County
“Unincorporated Collier County, along with Collier County Emergency Management have been receiving generic communications from the Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM), the Lead State Agency responsible for the administration of the Elevate Florida Program,” Collier County Communications Manager Deborah Curry said in part in an email. “Please contact the FDEM Elevate Florida liaison for Collier County, Doug Roberts, a contractor of behalf of FDEM Bureau of Mitigation. His email address is droberts@acdisaster.com.”
WINK Investigates emailed AC Disaster Consulting’s Deputy Director of Recovery, Doug Roberts, but did not receive a response.
“FDEM’s Elevate Florida program, along with the FDEM Mitigation Bureau, may be able to assist by providing up-to-date information and any details regarding your specific questions,” Curry said in-part in an email. “The Elevate Florida information email address is info@elevatefl.org . The Elevate Florida contact center is available Monday – Friday from 7 a.m. – 7 p.m. at 877-ELEV8FL (877-353-8835).”
Estero
“Our community development Director said we do not have that information available. It should be available through the state,” Village of Estero Communications Specialist Marilyn Edwards said in an email.
Fort Myers
“This data would have to come from the FL Division of Emergency Management,” Fort Myers Public Information Officer Noelle Casagrande said in-part in an email.
Fort Myers Beach
“Elevate Florida is led by the Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM), and we would recommend reaching out to their representatives for current application numbers and application statuses, as well as further information on any payment distributions,” a Fort Myers Beach spokesperson, who did not disclose their name, said in-part in an email.
Glades County
“I have not seen any that were applied for, but I have copied my Community Development Department just in case they might have information for you,” Glades County Manager Paul Carlisle said in an email.
Hendry County
“Staff is looking into this,” Hendry County Community Relations & Legislative Director Emily Hunter said in an email. “I will follow up if and when I receive additional information.”
Lee County
“Emma, this is a state program,” Lee County Communications Director Betsy Clayton said in an email. “If you need information fast, I would suggest you check the website for the Florida Division of Emergency Management (FDEM). They have a landing page with info. You may find a county by county breakdown.”
Marco Island
“Please contact the state for information about Elevate Florida; they are managing the program and would have the records to help answer your questions,” Marco Island City Clerk Joan Taylor said in-part in an email.
Naples
“Since this is a state program, the City does not have the information you are requesting,” Naples Communications and Public Outreach Manager Monique Barnhart-Tiberio said in-part in an email. “I recommend reaching out to the state or, one of my colleagues advised that Mr. William Lang with Collier County may have some of the requested information.”
WINK Investigates emailed Collier County Staff Liaison and Floodplain Coordinator William Lang but did not receive a response.
North Port
“There were no applications submitted by North Port residents,” North Port Communications Manager Jason Bartolone said in-part in an email.
Punta Gorda
“Here are the results of the Elevate Florida program as they relate to Punta Gorda,” Punta Gorda City Manager Melissa Reichart said in an email. “A total of 198 households from the 33950 ZIP code applied for the program, including both city and non-city residents. See below:
5 applicants within the ZIP code were selected for award, 3 of whom are within the City of Punta Gorda’s Historic District.1 selected applicant later rescinded their application.11 applicants from the ZIP code were placed on the waitlist, including 1 within city limits.182 applicants received denial letters.
Winning applicants in Punta Gorda will receive either a Swift Current grantor an HMGP grant to elevate their homes.”
Sanibel
“Here is a link to the FDEM Elevate Florida Dashboard, which you may already have,” Sanibel Public Information Officer Eric Jackson said in-part in an email. “But this gives an overview of the applications in each community. .”