Will My Safe Florida Home program get more funding? What to know
The 2025 Atlantic hurricane season is just around the corner, and that has put the interest of home insurance on the top of the minds of everyone − including Florida politicians.
Last week, then-Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis’ office sent out a note to My Safe Florida Home applicants who completed their inspections and paperwork but had not followed through by completing their projects and requesting their grants.
The memo alerted applicants that more than $100 million in state grants hadn’t been claimed and urged them to take the steps toward claiming the $10,000 in grants available to be applied toward home-hardening projects.
That news came after Gov. Ron DeSantis asked the Florida Legislature for $600 million to fund the My Safe Florida Home Program back in February.
So far, more than 50,000 Florida homeowners have submitted applications and are taking the next steps through the program, according to DeSantis.
Meanwhile, state legislatures have wasted no time during the first month of the 2025 legislative session. At least 11 bills related to the My Safe Florida Home program were filed within the first week of the latest session.
Here’s everything you need to know about the My Safe Florida Home program.
What is the My Safe Florida Home program?
My Safe Florida Home is a program created during the 2022 legislative session that provides qualifying homeowners with free wind mitigation home inspections and awards wind mitigation grants to go toward storm-hardening homes.
A wind mitigation inspection alone could save homeowners money on their insurance premiums if they have never submitted a form to their insurance company. The inspection documents the presence of common wind-damage mitigation features like roofing materials, roof shape, storm shutters, attachments for walls and roofs like hurricane clips and more.
Homeowners that have received a wind mitigation inspection could also be eligible to apply for matching grant funds that will help homeowners pay for recommended improvements. The state will provide $2 to match every $1 homeowners spend, up to $10,000.
How Floridians can get a free wind mitigation inspection
Anyone who owns a site-built, single-family residential property can apply for and receive an inspection. You don’t have to apply for a grant to receive the inspection.
Who is eligible to apply for a mitigation grant?
Homeowners who have received a wind mitigation inspection can apply for a matching grant if they meet the following criteria:
- The homeowner must have applied for, been approved for and received a free home hurricane inspection through the program.
- They must provide proof of homestead exemption.
- The home must be insured for $700,000 or less.
- The initial building permit of the home must have been issued before Jan. 1, 2008.
- The homeowner must allow the home to be reinspected after the work is completed.
How to apply for My Safe Florida Home
Homeowners interested in applying for a free wind mitigation inspection and the matching grant should visit this website. Users will need to register an account, and then they will be taken through a step-by-step application process.
What mitigation projects does the grant cover?
The types of mitigation projects covered by the grant will be indicated on the associated wind inspection report. Grant funds can be used for all of the following improvements:
- Upgrade roof coverings
- Strengthen roof deck attachments
- Reinforce roof-to-wall connections
- Install a secondary water barrier (SWR) for the roof
- Exterior door upgrades
- Garage door upgrades
- Window upgrades
Will the My Safe Florida Home program pay for a roof replacement?
Grants will not typically cover roof replacements. However, inspection reports that recommend adding SWR can be used to justify funds covering the replacement, according to the official site.
Do I have to perform all of the improvements if I’m approved for a grant?
Nope. The wind inspection report will provide you with information you can use to make an informed decision, but they’re just suggestions. Florida will still match homeowners’ contributions as outlined above, provided they are the recommended improvements from the report.
If money is tight, the Department of Financial Services recommends making the least-costly improvement that will give your home the most protection.
Will My Safe Florida Home reimburse me for materials I’ve already purchased?
No. The grant only covers labor costs and materials accrued after grant approval.
Can I still claim the My Safe Florida Home program grant if I completed the inspection and paperwork?
Probably. You can verify your application’s status by heading to MySafeFlHome.com and navigating to your account. From here, you will have the opportunity to withdraw your application or complete your application if your application status says “Grant app prioritization open.”
You will receive an email with further instructions on the grant application once you have completed any of the remaining steps in your app.
About 30,000 people have completed inspections but did not complete the age and income questionnaire needed to complete the grant application, according to the release.
Will the My Safe Florida Program get more funding in 2025?
DeSantis has already requested an additional $590,000 in funding for the My Safe Florida Home Program to fund around 45,000 applicants who received inspections but weren’t able to receive grants before funding dried up.
If the Florida Legislation agrees to provide the funding, it will provide enough money to cover those 45,000 applicants plus an additional 10,000 new applicants.
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