How do I qualify for the My Safe Florida Home program?

My Safe Florida Home, run by the Florida Department of Financial Services, offers free wind mitigation inspections for homesteaded, owner-occupied, site-built detached homes and townhouses, plus grants of up to $10,000 for recommended hurricane upgrades. Grants require a program inspection, an insured value of $700,000 or less and a home built before January 1, 2008, and under 2026 amendments the statute limits grants to low- and moderate-income applicants, all subject to legislative funding. Free inspections are for homesteaded, owner-occupied, site-built detached homes and townhouses, not condos, rentals or second homes. Grants top out at $10,000 and require a home built before 2008 with an insured value of $700,000 or less. Under 2026 amendments, grants are limited to low- and moderate-income applicants; those changes are set to expire July 1, 2027. Never start construction before written grant approval. Funding depends on the Legislature, so check the program site for open application windows.

How Do I Qualify for My Safe Florida Home?

Who can get a free inspection?

Under s. 215.5586 and the program's FAQ, the home must be:

On its own parcel, either detached or an attached unit such as a townhouse no more than three stories tall
Site-built and owner-occupied
Granted a Florida homestead exemption[1][2]

Which homes are not eligible?

Condominiums, cooperatives, multi-unit buildings such as duplexes, mobile and manufactured homes, and second homes, vacation homes and rentals are excluded. The program assigns its own contracted inspector; you can't use your own. The inspection report lists recommended improvements, cost ranges and estimated premium discounts, and you can share it with your insurer whether or not you seek a grant.[1][2]

Who can get a grant, and how much?

As of 2026, you must have had a program inspection within the prior 24 months, the home's insured value must be $700,000 or less, and it must have been built before January 1, 2008, as shown on the county property appraiser's website. As amended in 2026, the statute also requires grant applicants to be low- or moderate-income; those 2026 amendments are scheduled to expire July 1, 2027. The program defines low-income as household income at or below 80% of county median and moderate-income as below 120%.

Applications are prioritized in this order: low-income applicants age 60 or older, other low-income applicants, moderate-income applicants age 60 or older, then other moderate-income applicants. As of 2026:

Matching grants: the state pays $2 for every $1 you contribute, up to $10,000.
Low-income grants: up to $10,000 with no match required.[1][2][3]

What can the money pay for, and what are the rules?

Only improvements recommended in your initial inspection and confirmed at final inspection qualify: opening protection (windows, exterior doors, garage doors and skylights), reinforced roof-to-wall connections, stronger roof-deck attachment, and secondary water resistance with roof covering replacement. Work must be permitted and done by a Florida-licensed contractor you choose.

Don't start work before written grant approval; the program says starting early disqualifies reimbursement. You must finish and request a final inspection within 18 months of approval. The program depends on annual legislative appropriations and opens applications in phases, and its FAQ lists specific dates as TBD, so check the program's website before planning a project.[1][2]

Key takeaways

Free inspections are for homesteaded, owner-occupied, site-built detached homes and townhouses, not condos, rentals or second homes.
Grants top out at $10,000 and require a home built before 2008 with an insured value of $700,000 or less.
Under 2026 amendments, grants are limited to low- and moderate-income applicants; those changes are set to expire July 1, 2027.
Never start construction before written grant approval.
Funding depends on the Legislature, so check the program site for open application windows.

Sources

Reviewed October 11, 2026. General real-estate information for Florida, not legal, tax, lending or insurance advice. Laws, rates and deadlines change — confirm property-specific facts with the agency cited, a Florida real-estate attorney, CPA or licensed insurance agent.