Florida is a great place to live. The state enjoys generally warm weather all year round, boasts beautiful beaches, and offers plenty of activities and opportunities for residents. This also presents a variety of cities and towns to choose from. However, living in the Sunshine State is not without a few downsides. For instance, Florida is prone to hurricanes. The strong winds and heavy rainfall that characterize this weather event can wreak havoc on homes, necessitating costly repairs. Fortunately, with the My Safe Florida Home program, you do not have to handle such stressful situations on your own. Moreover, the program is designed to help you better prepare for hurricanes by protecting your home against these natural disasters.

Here's what to know.

What is the My Safe Florida Home Program?

The My Safe Florida Home program is an initiative created to help protect single-family homeowners against severe weather conditions such as hurricanes. Enacted by the Florida Legislature, this program has two main components: free wind mitigation home inspections and wind mitigation grants. The main aim of the program is to enable eligible homeowners to retrofit their homes to make them less vulnerable to hurricane damage, effectively saving money in the process.

The Application Process

The process of applying for the grant is pretty straightforward. The first step is for an owner of a site-built, single-family residential property to apply for and receive a Complete Home Hurricane Inspection. The wind mitigation inspection will be performed by a licensed inspector at no cost and no obligation to you. During this exercise, the inspector will assess your home's ability to withstand a hurricane.

Once the inspection has been completed, you will receive an inspection report. The report typically details the strength of your home against hurricanes and recommendations to reinforce it.

The results of your inspection will be uploaded to the My Safe Florida Home system. If you meet all the eligibility requirements, you will receive an email informing you that you can submit your grant application. Your application will then be reviewed and approved.

The Benefits of Signing Up For the My Safe Florida Home Program

Signing up for the My Safe Florida Home program comes with several incentives. Besides better preparing your home for hurricane season, you will enjoy the following benefits.

Matching grants

You can qualify to apply for a matching grant. Under this plan, for every $1 you contribute towards eligible home improvement projects, the state will provide $2, with the total amount capped at $10,000. However, to receive the maximum grant amount, your home has to be in a designated wind-borne region. Grant money may be used for home-strengthening improvements relating to the roof, structure and openings. This includes upgrades to all home windows and exterior doors.

Low-income homeowners, as specified under Florida statutes, are eligible for a grant of $5,000. Provided they meet all the other grant application requirements, these homeowners can receive the grant money and will not be required to make a matching contribution.

Tax benefits

Up until June 30, 2024, retail purchases of impact-resistant windows, impact-resistant doors and impact-resistant garage doors made through this program will not be subjected to the six percent state sales tax.

Lower Home Insurance Premiums

Participating in this program can go a long way in helping to keep your property safe in case of a storm. This can, in turn, result in lower home insurance premiums.

Schedule Your Free Home Hurricane Inspection Today

If you are approved for the grant, you must choose an approved contractor to perform the wind-mitigating improvements recommended by the inspection report.

ARMORVUE Window and Door is a participating contractor in the My Safe Florida Home program. We offer high-quality, impact-resistant windows and doors to enable you to get the most out of your investment. Trust our window and door experts to help you select the right products and complete any qualifying home-strengthening improvements. So you can better protect your loved ones and property in the event of a hurricane.

If you are an eligible homeowner looking to get hurricane protection through this program, take quick action before funds are depleted and the program expires. Call us today to schedule your free in-home estimate or showroom visit. For more information on this program, visit the My Safe Florida Home website.