Administered by the
Florida Department of
Financial Services
IN THIS ISSUE:
CONTACT:
1-800-363-5852
contractorinfo@fldfs.com
LEGISLATURE MAKES CHANGES TO GRANT CRITIERIA FOR MY SAFE FLORIDA HOME PROGRAM
The 2007 Legislature changed the eligibility requirements for grants under the My Safe Florida Home program, effective June 12, 2007.
Under the new law, homeowners who receive a wind inspection report after May 1 will be eligible for a matching grant up to $5,000 if they live in a single-family detached, site-built home that:
- was built before March 1, 2002;
- has an insured value of $300,000 or less;
- has a valid homestead exemption;
- is located in the wind-borne debris region;
Under the new law, grant funds can ONLY be used for opening protections, which includes windows, skylights, gable vents, exterior doors and garage doors, and the bracing of gable ends. Homeowners are still required to use a participating contractor from our list to be eligible to receive a matching grant.
Eligible homeowners who choose to protect their windows must protect all windows identified in their wind inspection report as needing hurricane protection in order to get reimbursed. Similarly, if they choose to protect doors, all exterior doors identified by their wind inspection report as needing hurricane protection must be protected. If they choose to protect their garage door as recommended in their wind inspection report, they will be eligible for grant funds to make this improvement.
The My Safe Florida Home program will also have a new service available in early July – Homeowners will be able to apply for a grant online at www.mysafefloridahome.com or by calling our helpline at 1-866-513-6734.
Under the law, only homeowners who received a wind inspection report before May 1, 2007 will be eligible for a grant under the previous program rules.
The My Safe Florida Home program allows homeowners to cover an area such as a lanai to protect more than one opening. If this improvement is chosen it is preferred that the contractor include a footprint sketch of the home noting where the protection was installed for the homeowner to include when mailing their reimbursement package.
Scenario: A homeowner requests to have roof enhancements done to their home. They have decided on a contractor that is willing and capable of completing all of the work requested. The contract states that the various costs are going to be:
- $10,000 to put on a new upgraded roof with $1,250 being the difference in cost to upgrade to a better shingle grade. This job actually costs you only $8,000.
- $250 to re-nail and upgrade the roof deck. This job actually costs you only $150.
- $300 to install a secondary water barrier on the exterior of the house. This job actually costs you only $200.
CLICK HERE TO VIEW A SAMPLE FORM
(PDF document will open in new window)
Play a Key Role in Fortifying Florida:
Join us for the 2007 Fortify Florida Fairs. The purpose of these fairs will be to promote the My Safe Florida Home program - the availability and benefits of wind inspections and the safety and financial benefits of residential hurricane damage mitigation. This will be excellent opportunity to meet with program participants in your area. Fairs will take place during the months of September, October and November in Pensacola (9/15/07, Pensacola Civic Center), Tampa/ St. Pete (9/29/07, Harborview Center), Jacksonville, Ft. Lauderdale, and Ft. Myers. Exact dates and locations for all cities have not been determined at this time, more detailed information will be provided as it becomes available. We look forward to seeing you there.
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GLOSSARY OF TERMS: • Application number - is the My Safe Florida Home application number • SF - Square feet • Material Cost - is the cost you charge the homeowner for the materials used • Participating Contractor # - is the number assigned to you by DFS. You can find this number on your entry on our List of Participating Contractors. |