Lawmakers to Review Funding Boost for Florida’s My Safe Florida Home Program

Feb 11

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — Florida lawmakers are set to review Governor Ron DeSantis’ request for additional funding, about $590 million, to clear a backlog of homeowners seeking grants under the My Safe Florida Home program. The legislative session, beginning March 4, will determine the fate of the program, which has been a legislative priority for Florida Realtors.

Since its revival in 2022, the My Safe Florida Home program has provided grants of up to $10,000 to approximately 29,000 homeowners, allowing them to fortify their homes with impact-resistant doors, windows, storm shutters, or roof replacements. However, demand has far exceeded supply. The application portal closed on July 17, 2023, leaving 45,000 homeowners on a waiting list despite undergoing free windstorm mitigation inspections.

In response, Governor DeSantis has proposed a substantial funding increase in his 2025-26 budget, seeking $590 million for the program. If approved, this would be the largest single-year allocation since the program’s revival. The breakdown includes $480 million for those currently on the waiting list and $109 million for 10,000 new applicants. Additionally, an annual recurring $100 million budget would provide grants to 10,000 homeowners each year.

Push for Immediate Funding

Governor DeSantis highlighted the program’s importance during a news conference focused on Florida’s insurance market. He initially urged lawmakers to approve funding for homeowners on the waiting list during a special legislative session that began on January 27, but lawmakers instead focused on immigration reform.

“Anyone that’s on the waiting list, we wanted to get that funded so that they can make improvements to their home in time for this coming hurricane season,” DeSantis said.

The program was first introduced in the late 2000s and revived in 2022 as part of broader insurance reforms aimed at reducing litigation and stabilizing the state’s insurance market. Strengthening homes against hurricanes was expected to lower homeowners’ insurance premiums and reduce overall storm-related insurance claims.

SECONDARY WEATHER ROOF UPGRADE - PEEL AND STICK

The My Safe FL Home Program in Florida provides homeowners with financial assistance for wind mitigation improvements, including the Secondary Weather Roof Upgrade, commonly known as Peel and Stick underlayment. This upgrade, which can be professionally installed by Top Rank Roofing LLC, offers significant advantages over traditional synthetic paper underlayment.

Benefits of Peel and Stick Underlayment Over Synthetic Paper:

Fully Adhered Waterproof Barrier – Unlike synthetic underlayment, which is mechanically fastened, Peel and Stick bonds directly to the roof deck, preventing water intrusion.
Superior Wind Resistance – Provides better protection against wind uplift, making it ideal for hurricane-prone areas like Florida.
Self-Sealing Around Nails – Reduces the risk of leaks by sealing around fasteners, unlike synthetic paper, which can leave gaps.
Increased Durability – More resistant to tearing, shifting, and deterioration over time compared to traditional synthetic underlayment.
Enhanced Protection Against Wind-Driven Rain – Offers a tighter, more secure barrier against heavy rain and storms.
Improved Longevity – Extends the life of the roofing system by adding an extra layer of protection.
Eligible for My Safe FL Home Program – Homeowners can receive financial assistance for this upgrade through state funding.

This upgrade, professionally installed by Top Rank Roofing LLC, helps Florida homeowners strengthen their roofs against severe weather conditions.

Mixed Results for Homeowners

Since 2022, about half of grant recipients have reported reductions in their insurance premiums, according to Steven Fielder, the program’s director. However, recent changes to program eligibility criteria could impact future applicants. Laws enacted last year prioritized grants for low- and moderate-income households, giving them an exclusive 60-day application window before others could apply. The maximum grant for low-income homeowners was also increased from $5,000 to $10,000 without requiring a matching contribution.

Low-income households are defined as earning 80% or less of their county’s median household income, while moderate-income households make up to 120% of the median. These income thresholds vary by county and are determined by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

Given the overwhelming demand, funding for the next 10,000 grants is expected to be fully allocated before the 60-day priority window expires. When the program reopened on July 1, 2023, over 3,300 homeowners applied within the first 17 days.

Grant Distribution by County

Among Florida’s 67 counties, Broward County leads in grant activity with 9,722 obligated grants and 7,548 homeowners on the waiting list. Palm Beach County follows with 7,844 obligated grants and 6,272 on the waiting list. Pinellas and Miami-Dade counties rank third and fourth in both categories.

In Central Florida, Brevard County has the highest number of obligated grants (3,544) and the longest waiting list (2,751). Other significant figures include:

Volusia County: 1,359 obligated grants, 1,226 waiting list
Orange County: 1,356 obligated grants, 1,498 waiting list
Seminole County: 685 obligated grants, 734 waiting list
Lake County: 287 obligated grants, 311 waiting list
Osceola County: 264 obligated grants, 292 waiting list

Expansion to Condominiums

Alongside the My Safe Florida Home program, DeSantis has requested $30 million for the My Safe Florida Condominium pilot program, which launched on November 14. This initiative offers up to $175,000 in grants to condo associations to harden their buildings. The application period lasted just five days, attracting 165 applicants. While no grants have been distributed yet, program spokesman Devin Galetta confirmed that none of the applicants have requested their funds so far.

Legislative Decision Awaits

The Florida Legislature will consider the governor’s funding request during the upcoming session. Homeowners who successfully navigated the application process, selected contractors, secured approvals, and completed projects consider themselves fortunate. Out of 109,464 applicants since 2022, only 54% (58,792) have been approved for grants, with just 29,000 receiving funds so far.

As lawmakers debate the budget, thousands of homeowners await a decision that could determine whether they receive critical funding to secure their homes against future hurricanes.