WINK Investigates: Where did Elevate Florida's $400M go?

WINK News is digging into the numbers behind the Elevate Florida program for the first time. The investigation has focused on how many residents applied, were approved, and were denied.

After persistent requests since April, WINK Investigates obtained the data from the city of Bonita Springs. The city provided a breakdown revealing the program received $400 million in FEMA funding last year, with nearly 2,000 homeowners applying statewide. In Lee County, 57 homeowners were approved, including six in Bonita Springs.

A recent Bonita Springs City Council meeting brought another development. A vote passed requiring properties to have flood insurance to receive FEMA funding. This condition is already a requirement for Elevate Florida applicants who were approved.

Tom Masters, a Bonita Springs resident, expressed concerns, saying, "Where did that $400 million go?"

Stephen O'Reilly, another resident, echoed the sentiment, asking, "Where did that money go?"

Residents are urging for full transparency regarding the spending of the $400 million, seeking details on how much each homeowner received and the criteria for approval or denial.

WINK Investigates is committed to uncovering these details and will continue to provide updates as more information becomes available.