October 2, 2006                                                

GALLagher ANNOUNCES partnershipS with non-profits to strengthen homes against hurricanes

4,000 Low-Income Homeowners to be Served

Tallahassee—Chief Financial Officer Tom Gallagher announced today that 4,000 low-income homeowners will soon be safer from hurricanes thanks to new partnerships between 12 non-profit organizations and the My Safe Florida Home program.  Through the partnerships, homeowners will receive free home inspections and assistance to make improvements that will strengthen homes against catastrophic losses.  

 “Partnering with faith- and community-based groups to help fortify low-income homes in Florida is mission critical to protecting families and reducing property losses,” said Gallagher, who oversees the My Safe Florida Home program.  “Through these partnerships, we will be able to leverage resources and help thousands of Floridians before the end of this hurricane season.” 

Through the Volunteer Florida Foundation, which administers the Florida Hurricane Relief Fund, 12 non-profit organizations throughout the state are teaming up with the My Safe Florida Home program to fortify up to 4,000 low-income homes in Broward, Escambia, Glades, Hendry, Miami-Dade, Osceola, Palm Beach, Pinellas, Polk and St. Lucie counties.  My Safe Florida Home is matching $8.1 million with the resources of these 12 organizations.  A homeowner can earn no more than 80 percent of the Annual Median Income (AMI) to qualify for this assistance.  AMI varies by county.

Participating homeowners will receive free home inspections to determine what improvements can be made to strengthen their homes against hurricane damage.  Following the inspections, homeowners will receive assistance to make recommended improvements. 

 “In our long-term recovery work following the last two hurricane seasons, we at the Florida Hurricane Relief Fund have learned the enormous value of partnering with community and faith-based groups, organizations that know their communities and are effective partners in accomplishing important tasks,” said Liza McFadden, president of the Volunteer Florida Foundation. “We are honored to expand our role to include mitigation work with the Department of Financial Services to ensure Florida’s low-income residents get the help they need to strengthen their homes.”  

Funding for the partnership with non-profit organizations is possible because of a $250 million appropriation by the Florida Legislature during the 2006 Session to create the Florida Comprehensive

Hurricane Damage Mitigation Program, now referred to as My Safe Florida Home and administered by the Florida Department of Financial Services.  

To date, the department has received more than 53,000 applications in the mail from Floridians eager to have free home inspections.  Nearly 5,000 inspections are currently being done in Dade, Broward and Lee counties.  Gallagher said his goal is to have 12,000 inspections completed before the end of this hurricane season, November 30.