<br><div><aside class="gnt_em gnt_em__fp gnt_em_vp__tp gnt_em__el" aria-label="Video - 2024 hurricane season: See the list of names for the Atlantic hurricane season"/><p class="gnt_ar_b_p">UPDATE 3/8/24: The Florida Senate <a target="_blank" href="http://www.tallahassee.com/story/news/politics/2024/03/08/my-safe-florida-home-bill-increased-to-200-million-goes-to-gov-ron-desantis/72893512007/" data-t-l=":b|e|k|${u}" class="gnt_ar_b_a" rel="noopener">approved an amendment to double the funding to $200 million and passed it</a>. The bill now goes to Gov. DeSantis for his signature.</p><p class="gnt_ar_b_p">The My Safe Florida Home program may be about to get $100 million in more funding, but when it opens for applications again the first two months will prioritize the Florida residents who need it the most.</p><p class="gnt_ar_b_p">The popular program, which <a target="_blank" href="http://www.tallahassee.com/story/money/2023/11/08/my-safe-florida-home-program-to-get-176m-heres-what-to-know/71503382007/" rel="noopener" data-t-l=":b|e|k|${u}" class="gnt_ar_b_a">matches up to $10,000 of the costs</a> Florida homeowners pay to harden their homes against hurricanes, quickly ran through the $100 million in grant money added in June 2023. The <a target="_blank" href="http://www.tallahassee.com/story/weather/hurricane/2023/10/31/my-florida-safe-home-improvements-inspections-matching-grant-program-runs-out-funds-special-session/71391349007/" rel="noopener" data-t-l=":b|e|k|${u}" class="gnt_ar_b_a">Florida Legislature voted</a> to provide <a target="_blank" href="http://www.tallahassee.com/story/money/2023/11/08/my-safe-florida-home-program-to-get-176m-heres-what-to-know/71503382007/" rel="noopener" data-t-l=":b|e|k|${u}" class="gnt_ar_b_a">$176.17 million more</a> in a <a target="_blank" href="https://www.flgov.com/2023/11/13/photo-release-governor-ron-desantis-signs-legislation-to-sanction-iran-and-to-provide-additional-aid-for-floridians/" rel="noopener" data-t-l=":b|e|k|${u}" class="gnt_ar_b_a">bill for hurricane relief</a> passed in November to cover the nearly 18,000 people who had already submitted applications when the money ran out.</p><aside aria-label="advertisement" class="gnt_m gnt_x gnt_x__lbl gnt_x__al"/><p class="gnt_ar_b_p">Now a bill currently moving through the 2024 Florida legislative session would add more funding to the program. <a target="_blank" href="https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2024/7028" rel="noopener" data-t-l=":b|e|k|${u}" class="gnt_ar_b_a">SB 7028</a> would appropriate $100 million in nonrecurring funds for My Safe Florida Home, along with $7 million for administrative costs for the 2024-225 fiscal year.</p><p class="gnt_ar_b_p">However, under the new bill applications will be weighted toward residents aged 60 and older, and residents who qualify as low- or moderate-income.</p><p class="gnt_ar_b_p"><strong>Prep for the polls:</strong> <a target="_blank" rel="noopener" data-t-l=":body nav (vg)|e|auto spike click:6|${u}" class="gnt_ar_b_a" href="http://www.tallahassee.com/elections/voter-guide/">See who is running for president and compare where they stand on key issues in our Voter Guide</a></p><aside aria-label="advertisement" class="gnt_m gnt_x gnt_x__lbl gnt_x__al"/><p class="gnt_ar_b_p">SB 7028 unanimously passed the Senate on Feb. 7 and is now heading to the House for approval.</p><p class="gnt_ar_b_p">Here's what we know.</p><aside class="gnt_em gnt_em_vp gnt_em_vp__yt" data-g-r="vp_tp" data-c-vt="youtube" aria-label="YouTube video" aria-live="polite"><a target="_blank" class="gnt_em_vp_a gnt_em_vp__yt_a" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RiXC4lC1Pi4" rel="nofollow noopener" data-g-r="vp_tg" data-c-vpattrs="{"videoId":"RiXC4lC1Pi4", "id":"72669043007"}" aria-label="Play YouTube video"><img alt="" class="gnt_em_vp_img gnt_em_vp_img__yn" data-g-r="lazy" data-gl-src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/RiXC4lC1Pi4/maxresdefault.jpg" onload="if(this.naturalWidth<200){this.setAttribute('onload','this.classList.remove(\'gnt_em_vp_img__yn\')');this.src=" https:="" decoding="async"/><svg class="gnt_em_vp_svg"><use xlink:href="#gnt_svg_video_play"/></svg></a></aside><p class="gnt_ar_b_p">The My Safe Florida Home Program, originally <a target="_blank" href="http://www.tallahassee.com/story/news/2006/11/20/state-rushing-to-check-homes/31503230007/" data-t-l=":b|e|k|${u}" class="gnt_ar_b_a" rel="noopener">started in 2006</a> and brought...</p></div> <style> .wrapper { text-align: center; } </style> <div class="wrapper"> <a class="button" href ="https://www.tallahassee.com/story/news/politics/2024/02/20/my-florida-safe-home-new-funding-applications-when/72668278007/">Read more <span>➤</span></a> </div>
