More than $100 million in state grants remain unclaimed by applicants of the My Safe Florida Home program. Homeowners are urged to act quickly to secure up to $10,000 for home-hardening projects.

According to a memo released last week by Senate President Ben Albritton, these funds were originally allocated to homeowners who completed inspections and paperwork but failed to finalize their projects and request reimbursement.

Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis informed the Senate that $103 million in unused funds is now available, allowing the program to reopen applications. This could fund approximately 10,300 additional grants.

The application portal will be open until April 30 for homeowners who have already completed inspections. Last week, Patronis’ office issued a news release urging eligible homeowners to log into their accounts at www.MySafeFlHome.com and submit their ages and incomes via a prioritization survey. This information ensures that senior citizens and low-income homeowners receive priority in grant distribution.

Applicants will receive further instructions via email on how to submit their grant applications.

Program Impact and Funding Challenges

Since February, around 29,000 homeowners have received grants to strengthen or replace roofs and install impact-resistant doors, windows, or storm shutters. However, about 30,000 inspected properties remain in limbo because owners have not completed the required survey. “If you do not do this, you will not receive a grant,” Patronis emphasized.

On July 17, 2023, the application portal was abruptly closed due to depleted funding for new inspections, leaving 45,000 applicants with completed wind mitigation inspections unable to proceed. Gov. Ron DeSantis has requested $590 million to cover these applicants and an additional 10,000 new ones, though this funding has yet to be approved by the Legislature.

Grant Eligibility and Changes to Requirements

Originally launched in 2006 and revived in 2022 to help homeowners reduce insurance costs, the program initially provided 2-for-1 matching grants, requiring homeowners to contribute $5,000 to receive $10,000.

A recent legislative revision now prioritizes low-income homeowners, who can receive $10,000 without a matching contribution. Moderate-income homeowners can apply after 30 days, followed by higher-income applicants after an additional 30 days. Those in the latter categories must still contribute $5,000 upfront and seek reimbursement.

Income eligibility is based on county-specific median household income as determined by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD):

• Low-income households: 80% or less of their county’s median income
  
• Moderate-income households: 120% or less of their county’s median income
  

Program spokesman Devin Galetta noted that 10,238 approved homeowners never requested a final inspection or reimbursement. Initially, they were given one year to complete these steps, with an option to extend for six months.

Homeowners who have completed inspections but have not yet applied for a grant should act now before the April 30 deadline.

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(Image credit: Chris O’Meara/AP)

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