The State of Florida has launched a program called My Safe Florida Home to help certain homeowners perform wind-mitigation efforts on their properties. These wind-mitigation efforts may fortify homes from hurricanes and offer discounts on property insurance premiums.
There are two primary components to the My Safe Florida Homes Program. The first component will provide free wind mitigation home inspections to eligible homeowners. All owners or single family, site-built residential homes are eligible to apply for these win mitigation home inspections. These inspections will identify elements of your home’s construction which could be improved to prevent your property from future wind damage. Applications will be reviewed in the order received until current funding is exhausted. The Florida Department of Financial Services has allocated funds for approximately 140,000 to 145,000 initial home inspections.
The second component of the My Safe Florida Homes Program will provide grants of up to $10,000.00 for homeowners performing wind mitigation to their properties. The State of Florida will provide $2 in grant funds for every $1 the homeowner provides. Thus, to receive the maximum grant amount, the homeowner must provide $5,000.00 of their own funds toward the project. The Florida Department of Financial Services will provide a list of approved contractors to participate in the program.
In order to qualify for a grant, homeowners must meet the following qualifications:
- The homeowner must comply with a wind mitigation inspection.
- The homeowner must provide proof of homestead exemption.
- The homeowner must provide documentation that their home is insured for less than $500,000.00.
- The home must exist in the wind borne debris region of the state, which consists of the far west panhandle region and coastal areas of Central and South Florida. Please see the map attached below to determine if you live in the eligible area.
- The initial building construction permit for the home must have been issued prior to January 1, 2008.
- The homeowner must allow the property to be re-inspected after the wind-mitigation work has been completed.
Overall, this program may help many homeowners make improvements to their property to weather some of Florida’s most ferocious weather. This may not only help homeowners prevent damage to their home, but it may help homeowners save money in insurance premiums by having up-to-date wind mitigation on their properties. Should you have any questions regarding your eligibility for the program, please do not hesitate to contact us. We are happy to review your qualifications and assess how you may best protect your property. The link for the My Safe Florida Homes Program may be found here.
By Patrick Cassady, ESQ.
