The My Safe Florida Home program is working with local governments and the Volunteer Florida Foundation to offer low-income homeowners an opportunity to strengthen their homes against natural disasters without out-of-pocket expenses. Low-income homeowners can also apply directly with the My Safe Florida Home program for a non-matching grant, but the homeowner will have to pay the contractor before being reimbursed.

The My Safe Florida Home program is a first-come, first-served program. At the rate at which homeowners are applying for grants, it is estimated that the My Safe Florida Home program may stop taking grant applications by May 1, 2008. Remaining funds will be used to meet the program’s statutory goal of 400,000 inspections.

2. How much money is available?
Individual homes will be eligible for a matching grant of up to $5,000 to make specific home improvements as recommended in the inspection report. A “matching grant” means that for every dollar of the homeowner’s own money spent on a wind resistance upgrade recommended in the department’s inspection report, the program will provide an additional dollar to help pay for the upgrade, up to a maximum grant of $5,000.

For example:

• If the recommended improvements you have done cost $3,000, the state would pay $1,500 and you would pay $1,500.
• If the recommended improvements you have done cost $20,000, the state would pay $5,000 and you would pay the other $15,000.

The My Safe Florida Home program is working with local governments and the Volunteer Florida Foundation to offer low-income homeowners an opportunity to strengthen their homes against natural disasters without out-of-pocket expenses. Low-income homeowners can also apply directly with the My Safe Florida Home program for a non-matching grant, but the homeowner will have to pay the contractor before being reimbursed.

3. What must the grant (money) be used for?
Matching grant funds are available only for recommended improvements in the following categories if your home was inspected after May 1, 2007.

• Protecting openings (windows, gable vents and skylights)
• Protecting exterior doors
• Replacing your garage door with an impact-resistant garage door
• Bracing gable ends in your roof

4. Can I use grant funds to eliminate a window or door from my home?
No, under law the program is directed to provide grant funds to protect “openings.” Improvements to openings can only be reimbursed if the opening continues to exist after improvements are made.

5. How do I apply for a matching grant?
Once you receive your free inspection report outlining improvements that may be made to your home to increase resistance to hurricane wind damage, you may apply online or call 1-866-513-6734 to apply for a grant.

6. How much money will I be approved for?
Once your grant application is approved by the department you will have one year from the date of your grant approval letter to make recommended improvements to your home. You will be approved and reimbursed for a maximum of $5,000 for any and all improvements made.

7. How long does it take for a grant application to be processed?
Once all the required documentation is received, you will be notified within 30 days if your grant application:
a.) has been approved.
b.) is deficient and what documents we need to complete the review process.
c.) has been denied and why it was denied.

8. Who can I use to do the home improvements?
You must use a participating contractor with the Department of Financial Services. Click here for a list of approved participating contractors,  Refer to the tips and terms about contractors to learn about choosing one.

9. Can I go ahead and do home improvements and then get reimbursed by the department?
Grant funds are only guaranteed if you apply for a grant and receive approval for a grant by the department. You can apply for a grant online or by calling us at 866-513-6734.
10. I do not yet have my homestead exemption. Do I still qualify for a grant?
No. The My Safe Florida Home grant is offered to those homeowners who have made Florida their home. By law, the homestead exemption is available only on the primary residence. In order to qualify for a grant, documentation of homestead exemption is needed. You are encouraged to apply once you have obtained your homestead exemption on your property.

11. Why can’t the funds from this program be used to offset my insurance premium?
The My Safe Florida Home program is a long-term investment in helping reduce the insurance premiums all Floridians pay. By making homes safer against hurricanes, homeowners will be less exposed to hurricane damage which means fewer or lower insurance claims. In addition, the improvements you make to your home to strengthen it against hurricanes could result in savings on your insurance premiums.

12. Are grant funds taxable?
No. The IRS has ruled that grant funds paid by the My Safe Florida Home program are not taxable.