‘My Safe Florida Home’ Open for Applications

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – The Florida Department of Financial Services (DFS) announced the launch of the My Safe Florida Home (MSFH) program. It’s now accepting applications for a free wind-mitigation home inspection and, if approved, up to $10,000 in storm mitigation grants for qualified Florida homeowners.

The agency conducted a soft-launch earlier in the month and has already received over 400 applications, according to Florida Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Jimmy Patronis.

What is the My Safe Florida Home Program?

Passed by the Florida Legislature in 2022, the My Safe Florida Home Program gives eligible Florida homeowners a way to have a free home inspection to identify storm mitigation measures, and grants to retrofit homes and harden properties against storm damage. Mitigation may also help individual homeowners decrease the cost of their residential property insurance.

It has two primary components:

• Wind mitigation home inspections. All eligible owners of site-built, single-family, residential homes may apply for a wind-mitigation home inspection. The inspection will identify the elements of a home that could be improved to mitigate against future wind damage. All inspections are provided free of charge by the State of Florida. Applications will be reviewed and approved in the order received until current funding is exhausted. (DFS anticipates completing between 140,000 and 145,000 initial home inspections.)
• Wind Mitigation Grant awards for home construction. Homeowners who received a wind mitigation inspection may be eligible to apply for matching grant funds to make improvements to their home. (DFS anticipates awarding between 11,000 and 12,000 grants based on current funding.)

  DFS will provide a matching grant up to $10,000 toward the actual cost of qualifying home hurricane mitigation projects – $2 in grant funds for every $1 the homeowner provides. To receive the maximum grant of $10,000, homeowners must provide $5,000 of their own funds toward the project. For more information, click here.

How do I apply?

Eligible Florida homeowners can start the My Safe Florida Home application process online at a portal created by the state.

Before applying, however, homeowners should understand the eligibility requirements and begin collecting the documentation they will be required to submit.  to make the application process go smoothly. Full eligibility information is posted on the Florida CFO’s website.

How do I become a MSFH approved contractor?

The Department of Financial Services will provide a list of contractors that have agreed to participate in the program. Applicants must use a contractor from that list.

Contractors who want to join the list of approved contractors can find application instructions posted online.

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