Insurance Law News

My Safe Florida Home 2022 | Murray + Murray

Written by Murray Law Group | Nov 10, 2022 7:23:00 PM

Harden Your Home

We saw the devastation hurricanes caused firsthand when Hurricane Ian hit in late September. Soon, Floridians will protect their homes against future storms with the help of the My Safe Florida Home Program.

In May 2022, Florida lawmakers passed a bill to resurrect the My Safe Florida Home Program. The re-emergence of this $150 million program will help Florida homeowners harden their homes in preparation for the natural disasters the sunshine state endures.

These homeowners will receive free home inspections and grants of up to $10,000 to make storm safety-related improvements, which is more crucial now than ever. The program should start at the end of October 2022.

 

These qualifications include the following:

  • Homeowners must have a homestead exemption.
  • The home must have an insured value of $500,000 or less.
  • The home must have undergone an acceptable hurricane mitigation inspection after July 1, 2008
  • The home must be located in what the Florida Building Code refers to as the “wind-borne debris region.”
  • The building permit application for the initial construction of the home must have been made before July 1, 2008
  • The homeowner must agree to make their home available for inspection once a mitigation project is completed.

 

How Many Homes Will Benefit?

The My Safe Florida Program will need to set aside $35 million for administrative costs, leaving enough funds to cover the cost of 11,500 homes if each applicant receives the entire $10,000 grant. Additionally, the program will provide $2 in grant funds for every $1 the homeowner provides. To obtain the maximum grant amount, homeowners must be able to provide $5,000 of their funds toward the project.

 

Need Some Guidance?

Murray + Murray wants to help you get the benefits you need to recover your home from Hurricane Ian and prepare it for future natural disasters. If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to reach out.