Owning a home in Florida
My Safe Florida Home: Free Inspections and Hurricane Grants
My Safe Florida Home is a state program that gives eligible homeowners a free wind mitigation inspection and, for low- and moderate-income owners, a grant of up to $10,000 toward hurricane upgrades such as impact windows, doors and roof work. Most grants are matched at $2 from the state for every $1 from the homeowner; low-income homeowners can get up to $10,000 without a match.
Kris Persaud · Watson Realty Corp. · 1390 N Hancock Rd, Clermont, FL 34711
Step one
Who Can Get a Free Inspection
The free inspection is open to owners of a site-built single-family home (detached, or attached up to three stories) that they live in and have a homestead exemption on. Condos, mobile homes, rentals and second homes don't qualify.
The inspector records the same wind features insurers use for discounts and recommends upgrades. The report can lower your insurance premium on its own, even if you never take a grant. See the homestead exemption guide if you haven't filed yet.
Step two
Who Can Get a Grant
- The home has had a program inspection in the last 24 months.
- It was built before January 1, 2008, according to the county property appraiser.
- It is insured for $700,000 or less.
- The owner is low income (at or below 80% of the county's median income) or moderate income (below 120%). Higher-income owners can still get the free inspection.
| Owner | State pays | Owner pays |
|---|---|---|
| Low income | Up to $10,000, no match needed | Nothing required |
| Moderate income | $2 for every $1 the owner pays, up to $10,000 | For the full $10,000 grant, $5,000 |
Source: Fla. Stat. 215.5586 and the program's FAQ (mysafeflhome.com), read October 10, 2026.
Applications are served in order of priority: low-income owners aged 60 and over first, then other low-income owners, then moderate-income owners 60 and over, then other moderate-income owners. Grant approval has to come before any work starts, and the work must be finished within 18 months.
Eligible upgrades
What a Grant Can Pay For
- Opening protection: impact windows, exterior doors, garage doors and skylights, or shutters.
- Roof-to-wall connections, such as straps or clips.
- Roof deck attachment.
- Secondary water resistance and a new roof covering.
Only upgrades the inspection recommends are eligible, and the program can require every opening to be protected rather than just some. Get contractor quotes that match the inspection report.
Funding
Is the Program Open Now?
My Safe Florida Home runs on money the Legislature sets aside each year, so grants depend on that year's funding. Reporting on the 2026-27 state budget says about $378 million in unused funds carries forward to the program (Florida Realtors, June 30, 2026). The official site showed grants and inspections available in September 2026 and sorts new sign-ups into inspection groups several times a week.
Apply only through the official site, mysafeflhome.com, run by the Florida Department of Financial Services. Be wary of anyone charging a fee to sign you up.
For buyers
Buying an Older Home?
A pre-2008 home with an older roof or no window protection may cost more to insure. Factor that into your offer, then, once it's your homestead, look at whether the program can help you upgrade. Kris can help you get the roof age, any wind mitigation report and the insurance picture before you commit.
Insurance guide
Roof age rules, 4-point and wind mitigation reports, flood and Citizens.
Home insuranceQuestions
My Safe Florida Home questions
What is the My Safe Florida Home program?
A state program run by the Florida Department of Financial Services that offers free wind mitigation inspections and, for eligible low- and moderate-income homeowners, grants of up to $10,000 toward hurricane upgrades.
Who qualifies for a My Safe Florida Home grant?
Homestead owners of a site-built single-family home built before 2008, insured for $700,000 or less, with a program inspection in the last 24 months, whose household is low or moderate income.
How much does the homeowner pay?
Moderate-income owners pay $1 for every $2 from the state, so $5,000 unlocks the full $10,000. Low-income owners can get up to $10,000 with no match.
Can I get the free inspection if I earn too much for a grant?
Yes. The free inspection is open to eligible homestead owners regardless of income; only the grants have income limits.
Can I do the work first and apply later?
No. The grant must be approved before any work starts, and the work must be finished within 18 months.
Keep reading
Related pages
Weighing an older home? Talk it through with Kris
Call or text Kris directly on his cell, or send a message and he will get back to you.
Kris Persaud · Watson Realty Corp. · 1390 N Hancock Rd, Clermont, FL 34711