As another hurricane season begins, many families in St. Petersburg’s Shore Acres neighborhood are still struggling to recover from Hurricane Helene — and waiting to see if state aid will help them stay.

More than 550 homeowners applied to Elevate Florida, the state’s pilot program to raise flood-prone houses. However, state officials said that only about 100 to 150 homes in Shore Acres — roughly 20% of the applicants — are expected to be approved or placed on a waitlist.

“I know a lot of people were denied and are upset about that, but 100 to 150 homes in Shore Acres are going up. That is amazing — a win,” said Kevin Batdorf, president of the Shore Acres Civic Association.

Residents should receive decision letters within two weeks. For some, the news will determine whether they can afford to remain in the neighborhood.

“We want to stay here, but we can’t if it keeps flooding. Our house needs to be raised,” resident Ashlen McIntire told WTVT.

The program has offered hope, but it has also drawn frustration. Some applicants have already received denial letters and questioned how decisions were made. State officials said priority was given to homes with three or more flood losses, properties deemed substantially damaged, houses located within FEMA special flood zones, and those that flooded during Tropical Storm Debby, Hurricane Helene, or Hurricane Milton.

State Rep. Lindsay Cross said she’s pushing for more clarity. “How those priority factors are being used … making sure the biggest needs are being fast-tracked — we are going to keep asking those questions,” she said.

Across Florida, more than 12,000 applications were filed, including 3,676 from Pinellas County — the most in the state. The program initially aimed to fund 2,000 home elevations; however, officials have not confirmed whether that number still stands.

Meanwhile, the City of St. Petersburg is preparing to launch its own $100 million home elevation program to support residents left out of the state effort. Applications have not yet opened.

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