2026–27 update: the My Safe Florida Home program is accepting applications. See our current My Safe Florida Home guide for today’s rules. This article was first published in May 2025, ahead of that year’s hurricane season.
Hurricane season is approaching in a matter of weeks, with the first day being Sunday, June 1.
Ahead of the storm season, now is a good time for homeowners to take advantage of the My Safe Florida Home program.
The My Safe Florida Home Program is one of many resources that can be helpful ahead of what experts are predicting to be an above-average season.
Colorado State University predicts 17 named storms, nine hurricanes, and four major hurricanes for the 2025 season.
The study reads:
“We anticipate that the 2025 Atlantic basin hurricane season will have above-normal activity. Current La Niña conditions are likely to transition to ENSO neutral conditions in the next couple of months; however, there remains considerable uncertainty as to what the phase of ENSO will be this summer and fall. Sea surface temperatures across the eastern and central Atlantic are generally warmer than normal, but not as warm as they were last year at this time. A warmer-than-normal tropical Atlantic combined with likely ENSO neutral (or potential La Niña) conditions typically provides a more conducive dynamic and thermodynamic environment for hurricane formation and intensification. We anticipate an above-average probability for major hurricanes making landfall along the continental United States coastline and in the Caribbean. As with all hurricane seasons, coastal residents are reminded that it only takes one hurricane making landfall to make it an active season. Thorough preparations should be made every season, regardless of predicted activity.”
This can be alarming for Floridians, including residents in the Tampa Bay area, as many are still recovering from 2024’s Hurricanes Helene and Milton. Now is the time to take advantage of the My Safe Florida Home Program, if you qualify.
What Is The My Safe Florida Home Program?
The My Safe Florida Home Program helps eligible Florida homeowners strengthen their homes before hurricanes and severe storms, with free wind-mitigation inspections and matching grants for recommended upgrades.
It was first established in 2006 following severe hurricane seasons in 2004 and 2005, which cost over $33 billion in insured property damage to approximately 2.8 million homeowners. It was later revived in 2022 during the year’s Florida Legislative Session.
What Does The My Safe Florida Home Program Offer?
The program offers free home inspections and grants of up to $10,000 for Floridians to strengthen their homes against storms and hurricanes, as well as reduce insurance costs through mandatory mitigation discounts, the Florida Chief Financial Officer website says.
The inspections offered by My Safe Florida Home focus on quality wind-mitigation in an effort to make homes stronger to withstand hurricanes and to save applicants money on home insurance.
Benefits you can receive include the ability to share your report from the program to your insurance carrier to ensure you receive all discounts in the hurricane portion of your home insurance program. It also provides tips on retrofitting your home with improvements to withstand future storms.
Following inspections, applicants may receive numerous home improvement recommendations that include:
- Strengthen roof to deck attachments
- Reinforce roof-to-wall connections
- Install secondary water resistance for roof
- Window upgrades
- Exterior door upgrades
For comparison, Florida CFO Jimmy Patronis says that common improvements like roof-to-wall connections, adding secondary water barriers, or installing impact-resistant windows and doors can cost anywhere from $10,000 to $40,000 based on the size and age of the house.
Homeowners must contribute at least $1 for every $2 received from the program, making these different improvements more affordable. For example, a roof retrofit that would normally cost $12,000 could cost a homeowner as little as $4,000 out of pocket.
Grant funding is set by the Florida Legislature and is limited.
Recent Updates to the My Safe Florida Home Program in 2024
In 2024, new changes were made to the program, such as:
- Any homes insured for $700,000 or less, including homeowners outside of the Wind-Borne Debris region, can qualify to receive grant funds.
- Low-income grants increased from $5,000 to $10,000 for homeowners with limited income.
- Townhomes are eligible for free wind mitigation inspections and can receive grant funds for Opening Protection upgrades. However, they must follow a certain criteria such as not exceeding three stories in height.
My Safe Florida Home: 2026–27 Update
2026–27 update: the program is accepting applications. See our current guide.
Who Benefits The Most From The My Safe Florida Home Program?
The State prioritizes applicants by income and age, so be sure to complete the age and income questionnaire when you apply. Only the State can determine eligibility. Check your status at mysafeflhome.com or call 850-427-2559.
How Can I Qualify For The My Safe Florida Home Program?
To qualify for the program, My Safe Florida Home’s website lists the following criteria:
- They must provide proof of homestead exemption.
- The building permit of the home must have been issued before Jan. 1, 2008.
- The homeowner must allow the home to be reinspected after the work is completed.
You can qualify after receiving a wind mitigation inspection. This is when a certified inspector will check how the roof is attached to the walls, whether you have a secondary water barrier to prevent leaks, and the strength of your windows, doors, and garage doors
An inspection takes roughly an hour or two and results in a detailed report that identifies vulnerabilities and opportunities for upgrades.
Whether or not an applicant decides to receive grant funding afterward, an inspection report can help homeowners qualify for insurance discounts under the state’s mandatory wind mitigation credit system.
Where Can I Apply For The My Safe Florida Home Program?
If you are interested in applying to the program, you will need to do the following steps:
- Visit the My Safe Florida Home website.
- Submit required documents, including
- Valid homestead exemption
- A copy of your homeowners insurance policy
- Government-issued ID
- Answer the provided questionnaire, which includes providing age and income information that can help you receive priority consideration for grants.
- Schedule a free wind mitigation inspection.
- Receive and review your inspection report which will outline recommended improvements to your home.
- If eligible for upgrades, submit for matching grant funding to help pay for new impact windows, doors, or roof reinforcements.
Once an applicant receives all of their recommended home improvements, they must select from the state’s list of approved contractors. This is to ensure the work meets Florida’s building codes and program requirements.
The list of approved contractors come from the Florida Department of Financial Services who have specific licensing, insurance and approved training standards.
Karoly Windows & Doors is an independent contractor and is not affiliated with the Florida Department of Financial Services or the My Safe Florida Home program. Program rules, funding and eligibility are set by the State and can change. Sources: s. 215.5586, Fla. Stat. (2026); MSFH: Is funding currently available?
