Florida’s My Safe Florida Home (MSFH) program, designed to help homeowners fortify their properties against storms, is facing significant hurdles. Despite a recent $280 million funding injection, applicants are reporting issues ranging from non-existent accounts to grant eligibility blocks due to existing insurance rules, causing frustration and uncertainty as the program prepares for its August relaunch.
My Safe Florida Home Program Plagued by Account Issues and Grant Blocks
The My Safe Florida Home (MSFH) program, intended to assist Floridians in hardening their homes against hurricane damage, is encountering considerable challenges. Homeowners are reporting a variety of problems, including accounts mysteriously disappearing and grants being denied due to specific insurance requirements.
Key Takeaways
- Account Discrepancies: Some applicants, like Aileen Flanagan of Jensen Beach, have found their previously active MSFH accounts no longer exist, forcing them to potentially restart the application process.
- Insurance Requirements: A significant hurdle for many homeowners is the program’s rule requiring homes to have an insured value of $700,000 or less to qualify for a grant. This rule can disproportionately affect those who have dropped wind insurance due to high premiums, as highlighted by Mark Test of Wellington.
- Funding and Relaunch: The program received a substantial $280 million in new funding and is slated for a relaunch in August. However, the existing issues threaten to undermine the effectiveness of this new funding.
- Legislative Scrutiny: Lawmakers, including State Senator Blaise Ingoglia, have expressed concerns about the program’s efficacy, suggesting that grants should only be provided if they lead to a tangible decrease in home insurance premiums.
Eligibility and Grant Details
The MSFH program offers matching grants to eligible homeowners for hurricane mitigation improvements. Key aspects of the program include:
- Inspection Eligibility:
- Single-family, detached residential property or townhouse.
- Site-built and owner-occupied.
- Homestead exemption granted.
- Grant Eligibility (in addition to inspection eligibility):
- Initial inspection completed through the program.
- Insured value of $700,000 or less (low-income homeowners are exempt).
- Building permit application for initial construction before January 1, 2008.
- Homeowner must provide contractor’s name and license number.
- Homeowner must agree to a final inspection.
- Homeowner must provide information on insurance discounts realized.
- Grant Structure:
- Matching grants work on a reimbursement basis.
- Approved grant application required before construction.
- Reimbursement for 2/3 of total costs, up to a maximum state contribution of $10,000.
- Low-income homeowners may receive up to $10,000 without a matching amount and are exempt from the insured value requirement.
Homeowner Frustrations and Future Outlook
Homeowners like Mark Test are questioning the program’s rules, particularly the insurance requirement, arguing that it seems disconnected from the goal of fortifying homes. Aileen Flanagan’s experience with a vanished account underscores the administrative challenges applicants face. While the program’s rules are set for the current year, any changes would require legislative action in the next session. The Department of Financial Services is reportedly investigating the account issues, but for many, the path to a safer home remains unclear.
Sources
- This rule can block some My Safe Florida Home applicants, WPTV.
- My Safe Florida Home Program Updates, | Florida Realtors.
- My Safe Florida Home applicant ‘at a loss right now.’ Here’s why, WPTV.