HomeMy WebLinkAboutLTC 008-2026 Fight the Flood Private Property Adaptation Program (PPA) Cohort 3 Update and 2026 Application PeriodMIAMI BEACH
OFFICE OF THE CITY MANAGER
LTC #008-2026
TO:
FROM:
DATE:
SUBJECT:
LETTER TO COMMISSION
Honorable Mayor Steven Meiner and Members of the City Commission
Eric Carpenter, City Manager ��
January 12, 2026
Fight the Flood Private Property Adaptation Program (PPA) Cohort 3 Update and 2026 Application Period
The purpose of this Letter to Commission (L TC) is to provide a progress update on the Fight the
Flood Private Property Adaptation (PPA) Program. The memorandum includes a summary of the
2025 Cohort 3 and announces the upcoming application dates: February 24 to April 24, 2026.
Thanks to the leadership of the Mayor and City Commission, the Fight the Flood Private Property Adaptation (PPA) Program is a competitive, reimbursement-based grant program offered to
residential and commercial property owners to incentivize resilience action. The program funds
projects identified though an on-site engineering visit by flood mitigation experts, assessment reports with flood mitigation alternatives and funding to assist with project costs.
Properties selected for the program receive grant funding, with up to $20,000 available for the full
scope of work. This includes the $2,500 value of the on-site expert visit and assessment report (Phase 1) and up to $17,500 in matching funds for the design and construction of flood mitigation
project(s) (Phase 2). If the applicant qualifies as low-to-moderate income (LMI), the program
covers the full cost of the project, up to $17,500, without the matching requirement.
2025 Cohort 3 Update:
The application period for the 2025 PPA Program was open from February 26 to April 25, and this
third cycle received the highest number of submissions to date, with 90 applications. Following a
multi-stage review by City staff across departments, 73 properties were deemed eligible to participate. This year's cohort includes six low-to-moderate income (LMI) properties, eleven multifamily properties, and five commercial properties.
A new expedited seawall pilot was introduced this year with 14 properties qualifying, allowing them
to bypass Phase I and proceed directly to Phase II of the program. Phase I assessments were
conducted for 58 properties between July and August 2025. These technical site visits were led by
the City's consultant, Brizaga, Inc., with attendance from City staff. Each property received an assessment report that includes observations from the site visit, elevation data and flood risk
exposure, and up to three tailored flood mitigation alternatives that are feasible, would have the
best result for the property considering site constraints, and that property owners expressed a readiness and ability to implement. Recommended projects included temporary flood barriers for
openings (30), permeable pavers (26), seawalls (21 ), permanent floodwalls (14), French drains
(13), interior floor raising (13), mechanical system flood protection (8), swale improvements (8)
and crawl space improvements (6).
Next Steps:
The City will host the 2025 Cohort 3 for a Phase II kickoff event on January 20,2026,at the Miami
Beach Botanical Garden.Participants will join City staff from each of the following departments:
Environment and Sustainability,Building,Public Works,and Planning and Zoning,as well as the
City Attorney's Office,along with representatives from Brizaga,Inc.The event will provide an
overview of the Phase II process and required grant agreements,encourage networking among
participants,and offer an opportunity to ask program-related questions.To formally begin Phase
II,participants must enter into a grant agreement with the City.This agreement outlines the scope
of work,documentation requirements,and eligibility parameters for fund disbursement.
Participants must submit regular project updates and provide sufficient proof of payment and
completion documentation when requesting reimbursement.
Property owners will seek their own contractors and solicit quotes for their flood mitigation projects,
while the City will continue to provide resources and support as participants navigate Phase II.
2026 Application Period:
The PPA Program will reopen applications for the next cohort from February 24 to April 24,2026.
The application period will be widely communicated through city engagement channels.The
application and workshop recording will be accessible by visiting www.mbrisingabove.com/ppa.
Private property adaptation remains a vital component of Miami Beach's broader climate and sea
level rise resilience strategy.We are pleased to offer this innovative opportunity to help property
owners reduce their flood risk.
For questions or feedback,please contact Amy Knowles,Chief Resilience Officer,at
amyKnowles@miamibeachfl.goy.
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