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My Safe Florida Home: free inspection and grants up to $10,000

The state program pays for a professional wind-mitigation inspection and, for eligible owners, part or all of the cost of hardening your home. Many single-family homes in 33773 were built before 2008, which is exactly the profile it targets.

How it works

  1. Apply at mysafeflhome.com when the application window is open. Funding is appropriated by the Legislature and has opened and closed in rounds.
  2. Get the free inspection. A state-approved inspector evaluates your roof, roof deck attachment, roof-to-wall connections, openings and secondary water barrier, and gives you a report you can send to your insurer.
  3. Apply for a grant for improvements the report recommends.
  4. Hire an approved contractor, complete the work, and pass a final inspection before the grant is paid.

You can stop after the free inspection. The report alone often qualifies you for wind-mitigation credits.

Grant amounts

  • Up to $10,000 per home.
  • Moderate-income households receive $2 from the state for every $1 they spend, so the full $10,000 grant requires a $5,000 contribution.
  • Low-income households, at or below 80 percent of the area median income, may receive the grant without a match.

Who is eligible

Rules have changed between funding rounds, so confirm on the official site. Recent requirements reported for the program include:

  • A homestead exemption on the home.
  • A single-family home or townhouse built before January 1, 2008. Condominium units have been excluded.
  • Dwelling coverage at or below the program cap (reported at $700,000).
  • Proof of current homeowners insurance.
  • Household income below the program's limit, with priority windows that have favoured low-income applicants and those 60 and older.

Improvements that qualify

  • Roof replacement or roof deck re-nailing, with a secondary water barrier.
  • Roof-to-wall connection upgrades such as clips or straps.
  • Impact-rated windows and exterior doors, or approved shutters.
  • Garage door replacement or reinforcement.

Why it pays twice

Florida law requires insurers to offer premium credits for documented wind-mitigation features. A hardened roof and protected openings can cut the wind portion of a premium noticeably, so the grant reduces both the upfront cost of the work and what you pay every year after.

Sources

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