DFS Update: $33 Million Obligated Through My Safe Florida Home Grant Program

The Florida Department of Financial Services (DFS) announced major progress for the My Safe Florida Home (MSFH) grant program, confirming that more than $33 million has been obligated to homeowners to help storm-harden their properties against hurricanes and severe weather.

According to DFS, since the program relaunched in November 2022 following the 2022 Special Session on Insurance, it has completed over 18,000 free wind mitigation home inspections and approved more than 3,500 grant applications. The $33 million milestone represents funds committed to eligible homeowners who are using the grants to install storm-resistant windows, doors, roofing, and other hurricane-hardening upgrades.

How the Program Works

My Safe Florida Home provides two primary benefits to Florida homeowners:

• Free Wind Mitigation Home Inspections — A certified inspector visits the property and evaluates features such as roof covering, roof-to-wall connections, openings, and the overall building envelope. The inspection report identifies specific improvements that would make the home more resistant to hurricane-force winds and often qualifies the homeowner for insurance premium discounts.
• Matching Mitigation Grants of up to $10,000 — The state provides $2 in grant funding for every $1 the homeowner contributes, up to a maximum grant of $10,000. Grant funds can be applied toward approved improvements identified in the inspection report, including impact-rated windows and doors, reinforced garage doors, roof deck attachment upgrades, secondary water resistance, and opening protection.

These improvements not only reduce storm damage risk but can also trigger significant windstorm insurance discounts — an important consideration given Florida's ongoing property insurance market stress.

Funding Trajectory

The program was originally funded at $115 million for the fiscal year running through June 30, 2023. DFS projected at the time of this update that the full $115 million would be obligated well before the end of that fiscal year, given the pace of inspections and grant approvals.

To keep the program operating, DFS requested an additional $100 million in grant funding for fiscal year 2023-24, while state legislators advanced companion bills SB 748 and HB 881 to expand program eligibility. Separately, Florida had also enacted a $462 million sales tax exemption for storm-resistant doors, windows, and garage doors to further reduce the cost of hurricane-hardening for homeowners statewide.

Why the Update Matters

The rapid obligation of $33 million signals strong homeowner demand for storm-mitigation funding amid rising property insurance costs in Florida. Wind mitigation upgrades funded through MSFH can pay for themselves relatively quickly through reduced annual insurance premiums, while also reducing the state's overall exposure when major storms strike.

Homeowners interested in the program should monitor application windows carefully — past program cycles have closed to new applications once funding was fully committed, and the program has historically reopened when the Legislature appropriates new funding. Priority has typically been given to lower-income applicants, homesteaded properties, and homes in wind-borne debris regions.

Takeaways for Florida Homeowners

• Check whether your home is currently eligible for a free wind mitigation inspection through MSFH.
• Gather documentation in advance: homestead exemption status, proof of insurance, and homeowner income information can speed up the application review.
• Consult with licensed contractors about which upgrades qualify and which offer the largest insurance-premium discounts on your policy.
• Watch for future funding cycles — as this update shows, state appropriations have continued to expand the program, but application windows can fill quickly.