My Safe Florida Home Program Reopens with $200 Million in Grants

On July 1st, the My Safe Florida Home Program, a crucial initiative aimed at helping homeowners safeguard their properties against hurricanes, reopened with significant changes that have left many Floridians frustrated and concerned. The program, designed to offer grants up to $10,000 for home hardening efforts, aims to alleviate the insurance crisis plaguing the state by encouraging preventive measures that could lead to lower insurance rates. However, the recent modifications to the program’s eligibility criteria and phased rollout have sparked a wave of discontent among homeowners who had previously applied but found themselves in a prolonged state of uncertainty.

One such homeowner, Steve Freed, vividly recalls the anticipation and subsequent disappointment he experienced while trying to secure funding for hurricane-impact windows for his home. Freed and his daughter applied for the grant last August, hopeful that the program would provide the necessary financial support to fortify their home ahead of the hurricane season. Unfortunately, they soon learned that the program had exhausted its funds, leaving them in a state of limbo.

“They decided, ‘Well, we ran out of money, but we’re going to keep you in the loop. Basically, you are still in, not in the queue, but you are in a holding pattern,'” Freed explained. “So, we waited.”

The situation took a hopeful turn when state lawmakers voted to allocate an additional $200 million to the My Safe Florida Home Program during the 2024 legislative session. Freed’s optimism, however, was short-lived. Upon learning about the new phased approach and income requirements, he felt a deep sense of injustice.

“Wait a minute,” Freed said in frustration. “She jumped through all the hoops that they required, put in a limbo situation, then all of a sudden you change midstream?”

Freed is not alone in his frustration. Numerous emails from homeowners expressing similar sentiments flooded the inbox of ABC Action News. The new rollout plan prioritizes grants for low and moderate-income homeowners, effectively pushing many previous applicants, like Freed’s daughter, to the back of the line.

The revised rollout schedule is as follows:

• July 1-15: Low-income homeowners aged 60+
• July 16-30: Low-income homeowners
• July 31-August 14: Moderate-income homeowners aged 60+
• August 15-30: Moderate-income homeowners
• August 31 onwards: All other eligible applicants

The state defines low income as 80% or less of the median household income for the county, while moderate income is 120% or less of the median household income. For the Tampa Bay area, where the median income stands at $92,000, the low-income threshold for a family of four is set at $76,400, and the moderate-income limit is $114,600.

Freed’s daughter, due to these new criteria, will not be eligible to apply for the program until August 31st, sparking concerns that the funds might once again be depleted by the time her application is considered.

“I’m hoping that you get to talk to Mr. Patronis and ask him why these people that submitted way back last year, why they are now put at the end of the train, so to speak. It’s not fair,” Freed lamented.

A representative from CFO Jimmy Patronis’ office clarified to ABC Action News that those who had completed both the inspection process and received final approval for the grant money had their funds earmarked within the $200 million allocation. However, those who had not reached the final approval stage, like Freed and his daughter, remain subject to the new prioritization rules favoring low and moderate-income homeowners.

In Freed’s case, they had only completed the initial inspection, which leaves them ineligible until the next application phase. This restructuring has caused significant distress among applicants who feel they have diligently followed the program’s requirements, only to be disadvantaged by the changes.

“Why are they put at the end of the train, so to speak? It’s not fair to them because they did their due diligence,” Freed reiterated.

The discontent among homeowners like Freed underscores a broader issue within the state’s efforts to manage disaster preparedness and relief programs. While the intention behind prioritizing vulnerable populations is commendable, the abrupt changes and lack of clear communication have left many feeling marginalized and unsupported.

The My Safe Florida Home Program’s new phased approach and income-based eligibility criteria are part of a larger strategy to ensure that the most financially vulnerable populations receive aid first. This strategy, while logical in theory, has practical implications that need to be addressed to avoid disenfranchising other deserving applicants. The program’s objective to mitigate the insurance crisis by promoting home hardening efforts remains vital, but its execution must consider the needs and expectations of all stakeholders.

For those like Freed and his daughter, the wait continues, with hopes that future program adjustments will address their concerns and provide a fair opportunity for all applicants to secure the necessary funds to protect their homes.

For more information on the My Safe Florida Home Program, visit the official Florida Department of Financial Services website. Homeowners can also find additional resources and support through organizations like the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Florida Division of Emergency Management.