Funds providing home inspections for Florida homes dry up

If you were hoping to get some state grant money to help harden your home against hurricanes don’t count on it. The state announced right in the middle of hurricane season it is out of money.The My Safe Florida Home grant program was extremely popular giving families up to $10k to replace things like sliding glass doors, widows, or even help pay for a new roof. They were providing free inspections, but the money to pay for those inspections has dried up.Dustin Robert Bellamy of North Fort Myers is among those calling on lawmakers to do more.The state added $200 million to the program this year. Just two weeks ago it opened up to low-income and elderly residents. There’s none left for middle-income folks who were waiting to apply for a home inspection.“If you see the way the structure is over here it’s to force all the middle class out, all the homeless out and just make it to where it is a rich state,” Bellamy said.The grant money was intended for people to make home improvements and bring down rising insurance premiums.“I would consider myself one of those people. If I was eligible to apply I certainly would. My home got flooded by Ian. I spent well over $100,000 to rebuild and repair my home,” said Spencer Roach, Republican District 79.Roach wants to see the state replenish the funding and call it a no-brainer.“Everyone wins. We have the money. We have ample resources to put more money into this program,” Roach said.His Democratic colleague Anna Eskamani agreed.“The state of Florida has nearly $15 billion in reserves right now,” Eskamani said.Much of the money is federal money unspent during the pandemic.“I think it is hard for a lot of Floridians because they see Florida has $15 billion in reserves and yet they’re struggling to make ends meet,” Eskamani said.Both she and Roach say they would support a special session to address the issue.“They’ve approved 40,000 grants for Floridians to harden their homes which is saving Floridians thousands of dollars on their property insurance premiums,” Roach said.Anyone who has been approved for the grant money is in luck as they still qualify and will get the money promised.Those who haven’t yet applied are out of luck for now or until lawmakers replenish the pot.NBC2 reached out to the governor’s office to see if there were plans to replace this grant money and we were not given a direct answer.

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