Frequently Asked Questions
General
Q. What kind of property is eligible to apply to the Private Property Adaptation (PPA) Program?
A. Both residential (single and multi-family homes) and commercial property owners are eligible to apply.
Q. What are the two phases of the PPA Program?
A. Our PPA Program is a two-phase process:
Assessment: If your application is selected, part of your grant funding will go towards a consultant who will assess your property's flood risk and provide a report with recommendations as to what kind of improvements can mitigate flood risk, in addition to providing estimated costs.
Design & Construction: In this stage, you select one of the recommendations provided in the Assessment phase and plan the design and construction of the approved improvement. The property owner will cover all costs and submit for reimbursement once the full project scope is completed. This stage is still under development and will be further refined.
Q. How much funding can I get through this reimbursement program? Will you fund my entire project?
A. The City will reimburse 50% of total program costs up to a maximum of $20,000. For example, if your total program cost is $5,000, we will supply a grant of $2,500. Costs over $40,000 will be given a maximum of $20,000 in reimbursement. Low-to-Moderate Income property owners will not be required to submit a match – we will fund the project up to $20,000.
Q. Who qualifies as a Low-to-Moderate Income property owner?
A. We define Low-to-Moderate Income as up to 140% Area Median Income (AMI). Income limits are determined by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) revision dated April 2024. This varies for single-family and multi-family.
Single Family: Income limits depend on household size. See the table below.
Multi-Family: The rent limit of a qualifying one-bedroom unit is $2,782 per month. To qualify as an LMI property, more than half (50%) of the units must charge rent that is equal to or less than the limits set in the table below.
If you qualify as a non-profit or affordable housing provider, you only need to provide a copy of your Miami-Dade County tax exemption form.
Q. I only live in Miami Beach part-time. Am I still eligible to apply for funding?
A. Yes! Please indicate your “seasonal” residential status in Miami Beach on your PPA application under the “Basic Information” section. Be sure to indicate your Applicant Address if it is different than your Property Address. For more details, visit Application Process | Miami Beach - Rising Above
Q. What documentation do I need for my application?
A. This varies per applicant. All Applicants must provide proof of ID, Elevation Certificate, and proof of Flood Insurance. However, depending on the property, you may also submit a Historic Designation, images and documentation of flood damage, or a National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) certificate. Other potential documents may include a Corporate Resolution by Condo Association Authorizing Application Submission or a Proof of Incorporation and in Good Standing.
For more information, visit Application Process | Miami Beach - Rising Above
Q. I don’t have flood insurance. Can I still apply?
A. No, proof of an active flood insurance policy is required to apply for the PPA program. As a coastal barrier island, 93% of properties are within a FEMA Special Flood Hazard Area. The flood zone requires flood insurance coverage for any building with a federally backed mortgage and is encouraged for all properties on Miami Beach.
See if you reside in a Special Flood Hazard area here or call the Miami-Dade County Flood Zone Hot Line at 305.372.6466.
Q. I still have questions. Whom can I speak with to find out more about applying for the PPA?
A. Don’t hesitate to contact us via email at MBRisingAbove@miamibeachfl.gov for further clarification and questions. You may also reach us by phone at 305.673.7084. We look forward to responding to your inquiries promptly and making Miami Beach more resilient.
Phase I: Assessment
Phase II: Design and Construction
Q. Can the program assist me in finding a contractor?
A. During this phase, program participants must seek their contractors to complete the projects. The City will assist with program-related questions, eligibility, and reimbursement processing. Participants are required to seek multiple quotes so they get the best offerings, people have to look for their contractors but we encourage them to reach out to multiple, the City is unable to recommend contractors or vendors due to Procurement guidelines.
Q. Who is the point of contact during Phase II?
A. The City of Miami Beach Environment and Sustainability team is the primary point of contact during Phase II. You can contact the department at MBRisingAbove@miamibeachfl.gov or (305) 673-7084.
Q. What is the deadline to apply for permits for work related to the program?
A. Permits must be applied for, and work commenced within 1 year of the Grant Agreement Effective Date.
Q. What is the reimbursement process and when will I receive reimbursement?
A. For most projects, reimbursement will occur after all work on the project has been completed, a final reimbursement request has been submitted and approved, permits have been closed, and an inspection completed. After approval, reimbursement will be received in the form of a check from the City of Miami Beach at the Grantee's address.
For qualifying low-to-moderate income households, payment advances will be provided to participants.
To maintain eligibility, permits cannot be issued before the execution of the grant agreement.
Q. Can I spend program funds on something other than the approved flood risk mitigation project?
A. No. Only approved expenditures will be funded by the program. All expenditures will be checked by the City through project reporting, budget review, final invoice review, and final inspection. Any discrepancies between approved expenditures and actual expenditures will be investigated, and if found to be non-compliant, the participant will be required to pay back the amount funded in full.
Q. Will there be additional support or feedback offered before the completion of the grant agreements?
- A. The City will host an annual Phase II Kickoff event after Phase I is completed. This workshop will serve as a great opportunity to receive additional feedback on your desired flood risk mitigation project and to receive guidance on permitting and code restrictions.
Q. Where do participants provide their suggestions for their project going forward?
A. Participants will submit their desired flood mitigation projects to the City in their Notice of Intent to move forward with the program. Participants will also send designs, quotes, and project plans to the City with their Phase II Grant Agreement. For additional feedback and inquiries about reimbursement eligibility for a flood mitigation project, please contact us at MBRisingAbove@miamibeachfl.gov.
Q. What information do I need to provide for Phase II grant agreement?
A.
- Quotes, drawings, and plans from your contractor(s) and designer(s).
- Exhibit A: Project Description.
- Exhibit B: Project Budget.
- Condo Association Resolution. (if applicable)
- A cash flow schedule indicating your project’s expected payment needs. (if applicable)
Q. Where can participants find more eligible projects in addition to those presented in the Phase I report?
A. The alternatives presented in the report have been provided specifically for each property by the City’s consultants. However, if the participant is interested in other flood mitigation alternatives, they should review Exhibit E of their Phase II Grant Agreements or call the E&S Office at (305) 673-7084.
Q. Who should participants contact for questions on permitting and project costs?
A. For specific questions on costs related to participants’ desired projects, please consult with your contractor for the project. If there are questions on permitting costs, you may contact the City of Miami Beach Building Department or, for seawalls and other marine projects, contact the Miami-Dade Department of Environment and Resources Management (DERM).
Applicants acknowledge and agree that payments made by the City for Applicant’s benefit and/or paid to Applicant as part of a successful grant application pursuant to the Private Property Adaptation Program may constitute taxable income for income tax purposes and be subject to taxation. Applicants shall be solely responsible for consulting a tax specialist and for the payment of any tax that may arise in connection with Applicant’s participation in the Program.
Q. Where can participants find support for seeking contractors and design professionals?
A. The City cannot provide endorsements or recommendations for specific contractors over others. However, participants can view lists of contractors that the City has worked with and directories to those that are certified by the City and State on our Flood Mitigation Resources page.
Q. Will participants be provided with products to be utilized in flood risk mitigation projects (pavers, barriers, etc.)?
A. The City cannot provide endorsements or recommendations for specific products over others.
Q. Would regrading the property be covered by the grant?
A. Regrading of property would be reimbursable through the PPA program if it is included in the Phase I Report alternatives or if it is associated with a flood mitigation alternative, such as creating rain gardens, bioswales, French drains, permeable pavers, garage floor elevation, and other projects. Only project costs related to flood risk mitigation activities are reimbursable under this program.
Q. Can a participant receive reimbursement for a flood risk mitigation project that is not included in the Phase I Report?
A. The City’s engineering consultants provide the alternatives in the report as the most effective and feasible options for flood risk mitigation on the property based upon their assessment of the property. However, other flood mitigation options noted in the Phase II Grant Agreement could be permissible upon review and approval by the City. If the participant is interested in other flood mitigation alternatives, they should review Exhibit E of their Phase II Grant Agreements or call the E&S Office at (305) 673-7084.
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