Miami Beach offers up to $20,000 grants for private seawall repairs
With king tides pushing water over bayside seawalls, the city's Private Property Adaptation program is open to owners until funding runs out.
Miami Beach is accepting applications for reimbursement grants of up to $20,000 per property for private seawall improvements, a program the city promoted again Tuesday as king tides flooded streets across the island.
According to a city news release dated Oct. 6, the Fight the Flood Private Property Adaptation (PPA) program is open to residential and commercial property owners carrying out seawall projects. The city says it is run by its Environment and Sustainability Department. The release lists no application deadline; applications are accepted until program capacity is reached.
Who owns the seawalls
The city says Miami Beach has about 55 miles of seawalls and that roughly 50 miles of them are privately owned. Bayside properties on the west side of the island are especially exposed, the city says, while the Atlantic side is largely protected by dunes and beaches. The release says about 93% of city buildings are in the FEMA Special Flood Hazard Area.
What the grants cover
- Grants reimburse eligible seawall work up to $20,000 per property, and payment comes only after a project is complete.
- Low-to-moderate-income applicants receive full project funding up to $20,000 with no match, according to the release. The release does not describe a match requirement for other applicants.
- Docks, decking, dock foundation piles, pile wraps and other work not directly tied to seawalls are not eligible.
- Applicants must submit a full application and meet eligibility requirements, which the release does not spell out. The city directs owners to mbrisingabove.com/ppa.
In the release, Mayor Steven Meiner said the grants “will help accelerate critical seawall improvements that reduce flood risk.” Commissioner Laura Dominguez called raising seawalls to current and future height requirements an important risk-reduction strategy in the city’s Sea Level Rise Adaptation Plan.
On X on Tuesday, the city described a matching-funds award of up to $20,000 under a “Seawall Expedite Program” within the PPA program. That post and the Oct. 6 release describe the grant differently, so owners should confirm terms with the city before applying.
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