Florida Home Hardening Grant: DeSantis' Extension Could Mean Lower Insurance Costs

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis endorsed three legislative measures related to property insurance that have far-reaching implications for homeowners in the state. These new laws promise to provide homeowners with mitigation discounts, enhance the My Safe Florida Home program, and impose restrictions on abrupt policy cancellations. These measures are poised to ease some of the strain that Floridians are presently dealing with, such as escalating premiums and the need to secure new policies.

Among these measures, House Bill 881 is expected to be particularly impactful. This legislation expands and prolongs the My Safe Florida Home program, a home-hardening initiative aimed at fortifying residences against potential hurricane damage. Eligible homeowners can apply for a grant which allows them to avail of a free home insurance inspection report. This report offers insight into the home's preparedness for hurricanes and suggests necessary improvements. A distinguishing feature of this program is that it potentially matches every dollar the homeowner spends on an approved mitigation project with two dollars, up to a total of $10,000.

Let's delve deeper into the My Safe Florida Home program and how it can contribute towards significant savings for homeowners while bolstering the resilience of their homes.

The My Safe Florida Home program was introduced in the legislative session of 2022 to help eligible homeowners shield their homes from storm damage. This program offers free wind mitigation home inspections and awards grants for wind mitigation that are directed toward home hardening efforts.

A wind mitigation inspection can result in substantial savings on insurance premiums, particularly if homeowners have never previously submitted such a form to their insurer. These inspections document the existence of typical features that mitigate wind damage, such as specific types of roofing materials, the shape of the roof, storm shutters, and attachments for walls and roofs like hurricane clips, among others.

Once homeowners have availed of a wind mitigation inspection, they may qualify for matching grant funds to cover the cost of recommended upgrades. The state contributes twice the amount the homeowners spend on these improvements, up to a maximum of $10,000.

Any homeowner possessing a site-built, single-family residential property is eligible to apply for and receive an inspection. It is not mandatory to apply for a grant to be able to receive the inspection.

Homeowners who have received a wind mitigation inspection can apply for a matching grant provided they fulfill the specific criteria:

1. They must provide evidence of a homestead exemption.
2. Their home must be insured for at least $500,000. However, this minimum limit will be raised to $700,000 starting July 1, as per HB 811.
3. Their home must be located within the wind-borne debris region of the state. This criterion will be discontinued from July 1.
4. The building permit for their home should have been issued before January 1, 2008.
5. They must permit the reinspection of their home upon the completion of the work.

In Florida, wind-borne debris regions encompass both coastal and inland communities that are situated in areas within a mile of the coastal mean high water line (where the windspeed exceeds 130 mph) or any location where the windspeed surpasses 140 mph, according to the Florida Building Code. This requirement will be eliminated once HB 881 is implemented on July 1.

Homeowners keen on applying for a free wind mitigation inspection and the matching grant can do so by visiting the relevant website. They will need to register an account, following which they will be guided through the application process in a step-by-step manner.

The grant is applicable for a variety of mitigation projects which will be specified in the corresponding wind inspection report. It can be used for a plethora of improvements such as upgrading roof coverings, strengthening roof deck attachments, reinforcing roof-to-wall connections, installing a secondary water barrier (SWR) for the roof, and upgrading exterior doors, garage doors, and windows.

The My Safe Florida Home program typically does not provide funding for roof replacements. However, if the inspection report recommends the addition of an SWR, it can serve as a justification for the grant funds to be utilized for roof replacement.

It is not mandatory for homeowners to carry out all the suggested improvements to qualify for a grant. The wind inspection report offers valuable information to assist homeowners in making informed decisions. The state will match homeowners' contributions for any improvements that have been recommended in the report. In case of financial constraints, the Department of Financial Services suggests opting for the most cost-effective improvement that offers maximum protection to the home.

The grant does not cover the cost of materials that have already been purchased prior to grant approval. It only covers labor costs and materials that are purchased after the grant has been approved.

HB 881 plays a crucial role in expanding and extending the My Safe Florida Home program. It raises the insured value limit to $700,000 from $500,000, includes townhomes, and offers grants that match $2 for every $1 spent, up to $10,000, to virtually all Floridians irrespective of whether they live in a wind-borne debris region. Additionally, it allows $100 million to prolong the program. This legislation will be in effect from July 1.