Latest news with #MySafeFloridaHome
Axios
04-08-2025
- Business
- Axios
Free home inspections and grants now open in Florida
Florida's hurricane-mitigation grant program, My Safe Florida Home, began accepting new applications Monday for home inspections and grant funding to cover home-hardening upgrades. Why it matters: Even if you are not selected for the first-come first-served grant funding, a free inspection could still lower your insurance premium if your home has existing wind mitigation features, the Tallahassee Democrat reported. How it works: The $280 million program prioritizes older and low-income residents before opening up applications to the wider public. The selected applicants will receive up to $10,000 each, either as a reimbursement after the work is complete or as a low-income grant. Who's eligible: To qualify for a grant, a homeowner must first receive an inspection through the program. The home needs to be occupied by a homesteaded owner and also have a maximum insured value of $700,000, with an exception for low-income homeowners, among other requirements. What's next: Group 1 (60 and older, low-income, below 80% of the median county income) can apply for an inspection or grant starting August 4.
Miami Herald
31-07-2025
- Business
- Miami Herald
Floridians looking for state cash to fix up their homes can apply for grants soon
Starting next week, Floridians in need of storm hardening home upgrades will have their annual shot at some state money to help fix up their property. The My Safe Florida Home program is opening for more rounds of grant applications on Monday at 8 a.m. The popular program got a cash infusion of $300 million in this year's budget, which it doles out in $10,000 matching grants to help Floridians make storm improvements to their homes and lower their insurance premiums. Gov. Ron DeSantis initially asked for $600 million to cover the 45,000 homeowners who got state-required inspections completed but weren't able to tap state funds for the repair projects, the Tallahassee Democrat reported. Last year, the legislature also made a separate pilot program to help harden condominiums. Applications for that program last opened on July 7. For the original program, single-family homes occupied by their owners — and with valid homestead exemptions — are eligible. After years of being open to anyone who applied, the program is now prioritizing a few categories of residents, including: Homeowners 60+ who are low income (defined as at or below 80% of the county's median income). For instance, in Miami-Dade, that would be a household of two with an income of less than $79,300 a income homeowners of any ageHomeowners 60+ who are moderate income (defined as someone whose total income is 120% of the county's median income). For example, that would be a two-person household with an income of $118,920 in Miami-Dade. Moderate income homeowners of any age Monday, Aug. 4 is the opening date for low-income residents over the age of 60 to apply for the program. Low-income residents of any age can start applying on Aug. 18. Moderate-income residents 60+ are up next, with an application window opening Sept. 1. Moderate-income residents younger than 60 are eligible next, starting Sept. 15. If there's still money left after all those groups go, the state says it will consider extending the grant program to high-income residents. That includes tens of thousands of high-income candidates who applied in previous years, but the program ran out of cash before they could get reimbursed for their improvements. My Safe Florida Home was relaunched in 2022 amid the ongoing insurance crisis, and was intended by the legislature to be an answer to skyrocketing premiums. Each year, the money allocated has dissappeared very quickly as thousands of Floridians vie for it. 'Funding is limited and grants are awarded on a first come, first served basis. We strongly encourage eligible homeowners to complete their applications as early as possible to maximize their chances,' the website reads.
Axios
24-06-2025
- Business
- Axios
Legislature funds popular home hardening program
The state Legislature set aside hundreds of millions of dollars in this year's budget for a grant program that funds up to $10,000 worth of upgrades that strengthen your home against hurricanes. Why it matters: The My Safe Florida Home program offers residents the means to safeguard their homes, which can lower their insurance bills. Zoom in: Gov. Ron DeSantis asked for $600 million to fund the program, but lawmakers agreed on less than half that, $280 million. That's still an increase from last year, when the program got $200 million. The budget is not yet in effect and awaits DeSantis' signature. The big picture: Demand for the My Safe Florida Home program has outpaced its funding. Last year, 45,000 homeowners completed inspections but lost out on grants because the funding ran out. Between the lines: The program staggers its application process to prioritize those who need it most. Low-income seniors (aged 60 and older) are first in line. Next are other low-income homeowners. After that, those the state deems "moderate-income" can put in for the program. How it works: When the program reopens its applications, homeowners can request a free inspection to identify areas of their home (like windows, doors and roofs) that could use improvement.
Yahoo
21-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
New Florida laws will impact property owners: Here's what to know
The Brief The Florida Association of Realtors is claiming victory now that the 2025 Florida Legislative session is over. A key highlight for residential real estate: $50 million has been allocated for down-payment assistance programs for essential workers, including teachers and first responders. Critics say the legislature didn't go far enough on the state's broader housing issues. TALLAHASSEE, Fla. - The 2025 Florida Legislative session has wrapped up, and the Florida Association of Realtors is calling it a major victory for property owners and the real estate market. With a combination of targeted budget allocations and new laws, the session addressed a range of housing and property issues across the state. Big picture view A key highlight for residential real estate: $50 million has been allocated for down-payment assistance programs for essential workers, including teachers and first responders. The initiative is designed to help more Floridians "get a foot in the door" of homeownership. "At the end of the day, we gotta put our foot in the door. And I think that's how a lot of people see real estate nowadays," said Jack Cleary, a Florida realtor. READ: New Florida laws taking effect July 1: Here's what you need to know Additionally, the My Safe Florida Home Program received $280 million to help homeowners fortify their properties against hurricanes and other storms. Realtors say it's a step toward keeping more people in their homes safely. "We only have so many buyers in the pool and we have a lot of inventory," Cleary noted, emphasizing the need to support both supply and demand. Perhaps the most significant policy win for commercial property owners is the repeal of the Business Rent Tax, a move Republican lawmakers say could save Florida businesses over $900 million. What they're saying "If those tax breaks give relief to corporations to allow them to grow and prosper in Florida, that is good for the employees, the Floridians that work for those companies," said Rep. Lawrence McClure (R-District 68). The legislature also passed new protections for property owners dealing with squatters, particularly in commercial and vacation rentals. Property owners can now take quicker legal action to remove unlawful occupants. "Being able to have them arrested or have that consequence over their head is great," said Josh Bradley, a vacation rental owner. "They cost me a lot of money." The other side Not all lawmakers are satisfied. Critics say the legislature didn't go far enough on the state's broader housing issues. "Housing affordability is a major crisis right now. Property insurance is out of control. And the reality is that this session did not deliver on any of those problems," said Rep. Anna Eskamani (D-Orange County). Additional legislation passed this session will now require better flood risk disclosures for long-term renters and increased transparency around mobile home park lot conditions. The Source This story was written with information gathered by FOX 13's Genevieve Curtis. STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 13 TAMPA: Download the FOX Local app for your smart TV Download FOX Local mobile app: Apple | Android Download the FOX 13 News app for breaking news alerts, latest headlines Download the SkyTower Radar app Sign up for FOX 13's daily newsletter Follow FOX 13 on YouTube
Miami Herald
19-06-2025
- Business
- Miami Herald
Insurance reform fizzles in Florida. ‘We didn't see as much happen as we'd like'
Florida's legislative leaders ushered in this year's session vowing to investigate insurance company profits and holding the industry accountable if it wasn't paying claims. A House committee held rare hearings to grill the state's current and former insurance regulators. Republicans and regulators proposed several pro-consumer bills. But 105 days later, it didn't amount to much. After one of the longest and most contentious sessions in memory, lawmakers left Tallahassee late Monday night without taking significant action to reduce premiums or increase scrutiny on the insurance industry. 'We didn't see as much happen as we'd like,' said Rep. Brad Yeager, the New Port Richey Republican who leads the House's insurance committee. Lawmakers are promising more action in the next session. Committees are scheduled to begin meeting again in October. They did devote $280 million to renew the popular My Safe Florida Home program, which awards $10,000 grants to help homeowners harden their homes. But lawmakers limited future eligibility to homeowners with low or moderate incomes. Legislative leaders began the session by talking tough about reining in the industry, receiving standing ovations in the House and Senate. Miami Republican House Speaker Daniel Perez ordered hearings into a never-before-seen study by Florida's Office of Insurance Regulation revealed by the Herald/Times weeks before the session. The study showed that at the start of the state's insurance crisis, insurers claimed to lose millions of dollars while their affiliate companies made billions. The study was never shared with lawmakers until the Herald/Times reported on it. Yeager's committee held two hearings during which regulators said the study 'raised red flags.' But they said the report wasn't shared with lawmakers because it was never completed. The author of the report, a government contractor, testified that the report was finished but that regulators never followed up with her on it. The hearings were the extent of the House's public investigation. Lawmakers also did not propose spending money to duplicate the study or pass legislation to enhance regulators' oversight. Yeager said the hearings 'validated our concerns' about companies shifting profits, but said there were outstanding questions about the data underlying the report. He said the House is considering hiring a forensic accountant this summer to analyze the full dataset, which was turned over to his committee. 'We're not done. This was not a one-session project,' he said. Insurance executives in Florida have earned incredible paydays over the years by shifting premiums to affiliate companies and away from the eyes of state regulators. Late in the session, the trade publication Insurance Journal revealed that the CEO of Tampa-based Slide Insurance and his wife earned $50.3 million in two years. Perez said the House's work looking into profit-shifting would continue. 'I think it's disgusting,' he said of the compensation. 'Internally, we're having discussions on what we can do to look into that,' he said. 'It is something that we will address. It is not something that we are putting on the back burner.' Legislators cited different reasons for why legislation stalled this year. House Minority Leader Fentrice Driskell, a Tampa Democrat, said the session was distracted by Republican infighting, including over Hope Florida. The program created by Gov. Ron DeSantis to move people off government aid was investigated by House lawmakers during the session. 'I think that we lost momentum in terms of big policies and big ideas because so much had to be worked out between personalities,' Driskell said. Sen. Blaise Ingoglia, a Republican from Spring Hill who leads the Senate's insurance committee, said legislation mostly failed because 'some were trying to undo the reforms that have stabilized our insurance market.' Those reforms largely made it harder to sue insurance companies. Some Republicans, including Donald Trump, have been critical of those recent changes. House lawmakers this session introduced bills that would have allowed homeowners to recoup their legal fees when they sue insurance companies. DeSantis repeatedly railed against the idea, and the legislation failed. 'This would have led to increased costs and higher rates for everyone,' Ingoglia said.
