DeSantis Signs New Bill Giving $200 Million To Homeowners

Photo byRon DeSantis Facebook photo

With hurricane season posing a consistent threat six months out of the year, who would not like a little help getting their home ready for the harsh weather to come? Senate Bill 7028: My Safe Florida Home Program, approved by Governor DeSantis on April 24, 2024, and effective as of July 1, appropriates a one-time total of $200 million from 2024 to 2025 for the purpose of funding hurricane mitigation grants and inspections, as well as outreach and administration costs, to support homeowners in Florida.

The funds originate from the General Revenue Fund and are being allocated through the Department of Financial Services (DFS). Low-income homeowners above the age of 60 will receive the highest priority for fund allocation, followed by low-income homeowners under the age of 60, moderate-income homeowners above the age of 60, moderate-income homeowners under the age of 60, and finally all other applicants.

This bill is acting as an amendment to the previously introduced My Safe Florida Home (MSFH) Program. While it revises provisions of the original program to alter things like brochure distribution and phrasing, more fundamental changes are also being put in place.

Now, any applicants who meet the requirements for a mitigation inspection may receive one whether or not they also apply or qualify for a mitigation grant, and windows and skylights are being considered “grant eligible improvements”.

In addition, the DFS is not responsible for making a list of participating contractors. Instead, the DFS is required to verify that the contractor chosen by the homeowner to perform the work is properly licensed.

Homeowners must also provide information they receive from their insurer regarding new discounts resulting from the mitigation improvements made to their home as funded by the MSFH Program. The DSF has the right to request additional information from applicants as well.

Furthermore, this bill removes the provision allowing grant matching from alternate nonprofit and local government entities and the provision allowing grants to be given for “a previously inspected existing structure or on a rebuild”.

In order to make use of their grants, homeowners are obligated to finish construction and put in a request for a final inspection within one year of approval for their grant. If an extension is required, the extension must be requested within that one year period.

For complete details on this new law, click here to read the full 15 pages of Senate Bill 7028. For the official summary of the bill, click here.
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Article by Ema Tibbetts