Raising Your Home: Understanding FEMA’s Grant Options for Elevation, Flood Risk & Coastal Resilience

If you live in a coastal or flood-prone region(Hello from New Jersey!), rising sea levels and increasingly severe storms make home elevation and mitigation more than just smart—they’re essential. Thankfully, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) offers grant programs under its broader Hazard Mitigation Assistance (HMA) umbrella that can support projects like raising your home to reduce flood risk. In this article we’ll go deep: how these grants work, what types of home‐elevation projects are eligible, how the process works, and how you can determine if your property qualifies.

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Why Home Raising / Elevation Matters

Flooding is the most common and costly natural disaster in the United States. According to FEMA, even one inch of water in a home can cause up to $25,000 in damage.

For homeowners in coastal zones, river floodplains or repetitive loss areas, elevating a structure—the home itself or key utilities above the Base Flood Elevation (BFE)—can dramatically reduce risk of damage, reduce insurance claims and premiums, and increase resilience to sea-level rise and storm surge.

Because of that, FEMA’s mitigation grants specifically list “structure elevation” as an eligible activity (both under HMGP and under the competitive FMA program) when certain criteria are met.

FEMA Home Raising Grants

1. Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP)

This is the post‐disaster grant stream: when your state has a Presidential major disaster declaration, funding becomes available to i

mplement mitigation projects that reduce future loss. FEMA+2FEMA+2

Under HMGP, “structure elevation” is specifically eligible. According to the HMGP brochure:

“Elevation – The home is raised so potential floodwaters may flow underneath the home.” FEMA

Eligibility highlights:

• Your home must be in a state that received a Presidential disaster declaration. FEMA

• The community must have an approved hazard mitigation plan. FEMA

• You cannot apply directly to FEMA as a homeowner: the application goes through your State, local or tribal government, as applicant/sub-applicant. FEMA

• The project must meet feasibility, cost‐effectiveness, environmental/historic preservation review, and other regulatory requirements. FEMA+1

2. Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA)

FMA is the competitive grant program targeted at buildings insured under the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and for reducing repetitive flood loss. FEMA+1

Key points:

• Eligible applicants are states, territories, tribal nations and local governments; not individual homeowners directly. FEMA+1

• Eligible projects include individual property flood mitigation actions such as structure elevation and acquisition. FEMA

• For FY 2022, FMA awarded over $711 million in federal cost share to selected projects. FEMA

3. Hazard Mitigation Assistance (HMA) Umbrella & Policy Guidance

FEMA consolidates HMGP, FMA (and also BRIC & HMGP “Post Fire”) under the HMA umbrella. The latest version of the HMA Program & Policy Guide (Version 2.1, effective Jan 20 2025) outlines program rules and eligible mitigation activities. FEMA+1

According to the guidance: structure elevation is explicitly listed as an eligible mitigation activity. FEMA+1

What Does “Elevation” Mean & What Are Typical Requirements?

When we talk about elevation in this context, it usually means raising the lowest floor of the home above the Base Flood Elevation (BFE) plus sometimes an additional “freeboard” height (extra feet of clearance). Key details:

• FEMA’s “Elevating Your House” guide shows that areas below the elevated home can be used for parking, storage, access—but usually should be flood-resistant materials if used for living space. FEMA+1

• Elevation isn’t just jacks under the home—utilities and key mechanical equipment must also be elevated above the BFE. FEMA+1

• The HMGP elevation application instructions outline documentation requirements: cost‐effectiveness benefit-cost analysis (BCA), proof of damage risk, engineering feasibility, environmental/historic review, etc. FEMA+1

• State/local details: For example in Florida, under the Flood Mitigation Assistance Program, “Structure Elevation” is one of the eligible project types. Florida Disaster

• Matching requirements: Some state guidance (e.g., Maryland) shows the federal share for HMGP is up to 75% of eligible costs (non‐federal share 25%) in many cases. Maryland Emergency Management

How to Determine If Your Property Can Qualify

Here’s a step-by-step checklist for homeowners in a coastal/flood-risk zone:

1. Check your flood risk & NFIP participation

   • Is your property in a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA) or high-risk flood zone?

   • Is the community participating in the NFIP and in good standing (not on probation, etc.)? FMA eligibility requires NFIP participation. FEMA+1

   • Do you have or can you obtain a flood insurance policy (required for many individual property mitigation projects). FEMA

2. Talk to your local/state hazard mitigation office / floodplain manager

   • Because these grants are applied for by states / local governments, you’ll need to engage with your county or municipal hazard mitigation coordinator.

   • For HMGP, you typically cannot apply as an individual; your community will need to include your home’s elevation project as part of a larger application. FEMA

3. Assess feasibility & cost effectiveness

   • The project must show that elevating the home will reduce risk (i.e., risk of flood damage) and that the benefits outweigh the costs (via a Benefit-Cost Analysis) or use pre‐calculated benefits where applicable. FEMA+1

   • Consider whether your home is adequately elevated now, what it would cost to raise it further, and whether rising sea level or storm surge could change risk dynamics.

4. Prepare for documentation

   • Engineering plans, cost estimates, schedule/timeline, documentation of flood history, original home square footage (if applicable), evidence of tax record, etc. For example, Florida’s state guidance requires original square footage verified for elevation or reconstruction projects. Florida Disaster

   • Environmental/historic preservation review (EHP) may be required. FEMA

5. Understand funding & match requirements

   • Since these are grants, there is often a required non-federal cost share (e.g., 25% in many programs). Maryland Emergency Management+1

   • Funds are generally paid on a reimbursement basis after the work is completed and approved. scituatema.gov

6. Consider timing and program cycles

   • HMGP is tied to a major disaster declaration. If your area hasn’t had one recently, you may need to wait.

   • FMA is competitive and subject to application windows; FY 2022 had large funds available ($400 million+ for individual property mitigation projects) under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL) appropriation. FEMA

What’s New / What to Watch

• The updated HMA Guide (V2.1) effective 2025 clarifies roles, policy, and includes structure elevation among eligible activities. FEMA+1

• FEMA’s fact sheet for FY 2022 Individual Flood Mitigation Projects under FMA states explicitly that “structure elevations” are eligible for buildings insured under the NFIP. FEMA

• The increased funding available under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law means more opportunities for elevation and other flood mitigation projects. FEMA

Important Caveats & Considerations

• Even though these grants exist, not every home will qualify. Eligibility depends on location, flood history, NFIP participation, feasibility, cost effectiveness, and available state/local match and program funds.

• Elevating your home is a major construction project—it involves engineering, permitting, possible temporary relocation/displacement, and significant costs (even with grant support).

• These programs are not insurance: elevation reduces risk but doesn’t eliminate it entirely. You’ll still want to maintain appropriate flood insurance coverage.

• If your home is in a zone where flood maps are changing (due to sea‐level rise, coastal erosion, storm surge), you’ll need to factor those future risks. Some academic work suggests typical elevation decisions may neglect uncertainties (e.g., rising sea level) and thus may require raising higher than current minimums. arXiv

• A grant award doesn’t always guarantee full cost coverage: non‐federal matches, ineligible costs (for example “aesthetic improvements” beyond the elevation requirement) may be borne by the homeowner. For example, in New Jersey’s HMGP elevation factsheet it notes that additional structures, new decks/porches or landscaping are not eligible costs and must be paid by the owner. NJ.gov

Step-by-Step: How to Get Started

1. Locate your State Hazard Mitigation Officer — they can guide you on how your state handles HMGP/FMA.

2. Gather key information about your property: flood zone designation, current elevation vs BFE, NFIP policy status, any prior flood damage/loss history.

3. Consult your local floodplain manager / county emergency manager to see if your community has an approved hazard mitigation plan and is eligible.

4. Explore previous grant‐award examples (many states publish lists of selected projects). For example: under FMA, Florida selected “Elevation of Two Single-Family Residences” in Fort Lauderdale. FEMA

5. Work with local/state officials to consider elevating your home as part of a mitigation project and get on your community’s priority list.

6. Prepare for engineering/feasibility review, cost estimate, and environmental/historic review—these are critical for an elevation project application.

7. Monitor grant application windows and notices of funding opportunity (NOFOs) for FMA and other programs.

8. If awarded, plan for construction, temporary relocation (if needed), permit process, and compliance with project scope and timelines.

How Elevation Helps With Insurance & Long-Term Value

• Elevating a home above the BFE can reduce flood insurance premiums under NFIP (and may help satisfy lender requirements).

• Reduced risk of flood damage means fewer claims and less disruption to your home life.

• In coastal zones with rising sea levels and storm surge threats, elevation helps future-proof your investment.

• Communities that elevate homes may qualify for other resilience incentives (or higher community ratings under floodplain management programs which can translate to lower insurance rates for all).

Real-World Example & Data Snapshot

• In FY 2022, the FMA program selected 127 individual property flood mitigation projects (including elevations) totaling over $263.7 million. FEMA+1

• For example: “City of Miami Beach Elevates Two Structures” via FMA. FEMA

• State of Florida’s Flood Mitigation Assistance Program includes “Structure Elevation” as an eligible mitigation activity. Florida Disaster

If your home is in a coastal, floodplain or repetitive‐loss area, it’s time to think proactively: elevating your home isn’t just about weathering the next storm—it’s about protecting your asset, your family’s safety, and your long-term investment. The good news: FEMA’s mitigation grant programs (HMGP, FMA, HMA) provide real opportunities for eligible elevation projects. But they require planning, coordination with local/state agencies, and careful documentation.

The earlier you engage your local hazard mitigation office and floodplain manager, the better your chances of being ready when grant windows open. Elevation can turn a vulnerable property into a resilient one—let’s start the process.

Ready to Move Forward?

If you’d like help navigating the process (state by state), estimating costs, or drafting a community application for an elevation project- just let us know which state or county you’re in, and we can dig into local programs and eligibility requirements.

All information in this article is based on publicly-available guidance from FEMA and state emergency management agencies as of October 2025.

Sources & Further Reading:

• FEMA — Hazard Mitigation Grant Program: Property Owners/HMGP eligibility. FEMA

• FEMA — Elevating Your House (Guide). FEMA

• FEMA — Protect Your Property from Flooding brochure. FEMA

• FEMA — Hazard Mitigation Grant Program overview. FEMA

• FEMA — Hazard Mitigation Assistance Program & Policy Guide. FEMA+1

• FEMA — FMA – Flood Mitigation Assistance grant overview. FEMA

• FEMA — FY 22 Individual Flood Mitigation Projects fact sheet. FEMA

• Example state (Florida) HMGP application process. Florida Disaster

• Example state (Florida) FMA eligible activities list. Florida Disaster