UPDATE 3/8/24: The Florida Senate approved an amendment to double the funding to $200 million and passed it. The bill now goes to Gov. DeSantis for his signature.
The My Safe Florida Home program may be about to get $100 million in more funding, but when it opens for applications again the first two months will prioritize the Florida residents who need it the most.
The popular program, which matches up to $10,000 of the costs Florida homeowners pay to harden their homes against hurricanes, quickly ran through the $100 million in grant money added in June 2023. The Florida Legislature voted to provide $176.17 million more in a bill for hurricane relief passed in November to cover the nearly 18,000 people who had already submitted applications when the money ran out.
Now a bill currently moving through the 2024 Florida legislative session would add more funding to the program. SB 7028 would appropriate $100 million in nonrecurring funds for My Safe Florida Home, along with $7 million for administrative costs for the 2024-225 fiscal year.
However, under the new bill applications will be weighted toward residents aged 60 and older, and residents who qualify as low- or moderate-income.
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SB 7028 unanimously passed the Senate on Feb. 7 and is now heading to the House for approval.
Here’s what we know.
The My Safe Florida Home Program, originally started in 2006 and brought…
