So You Wanna Live in a Fortress of Solitude (Against Mother Nature)? Your Guide to My Safe Florida Home
Florida: sunshine, beaches, alligators with questionable taste in pool floats...and hurricanes. Let's face it, when it comes to tropical storms, Florida is basically the bullseye on the dartboard. But fear not, intrepid homeowner! There's a program out there with a name that sounds like a superhero origin story: My Safe Florida Home (MSFH).
Buckle Up, Sunshine! Here's the Lowdown on Qualifying
Hold on to Your Pool Floaties (Eligibility Requirements):
- This ain't a five-star resort (yet). Your home needs to be a single-family dwelling or townhouse with a homestead exemption. Basically, it's gotta be your primary residence, not a fancy vacation rental.
- Insurance, Glorious Insurance! Your home's gotta be insured for less than $700,000. Think of it as keeping things affordable, superhero style.
- Time Travel for Inspections (Sort Of): The building permit for your house needs to be from before January 1, 2008.
The Age and Income Game (Prioritization):
As of July 1, 2024, there's a new twist! Applications will be prioritized based on income and age:
- Silver Snipers Strike First! Those who qualify as low-income and 60 or older get first dibs (Days 1-15).
- Next Up, the Low-Income Crew: Anyone who qualifies as low-income gets their shot next (Days 16-30).
- Respect Your Elders (and Their Budget): Qualifying moderate-income homeowners aged 60 and up are next (Days 31-45).
- Finally, Everyone Else: Moderate-income applicants get their chance to join the My Safe Florida Home party (Days 46-60).
Don't Worry, Be Happy (and Prepared):
Qualifying doesn't mean you automatically get a magic hurricane shield. You'll need to get a free wind mitigation inspection to see what upgrades your home might need. Then, you can choose a Certified Florida State Contractor to make those upgrades and potentially qualify for a grant to help cover the costs.
Remember: It's not about becoming Iron Man, it's about making your home a little more secure during those stormy Florida nights.
How To FAQs on My Safe Florida Home:
How to Apply? Hold your horses! The application window reopens on July 1, 2024. Keep an eye on the My Safe Florida Home website (https://mysafeflhome.com/) for updates.
How to Find Out My Income Level? No sweat! Most counties have online resources to help you determine your income level relative to the county median.
How Much Does the Grant Cover? The grant reimburses you for 2/3 of the project cost, up to a maximum of $10,000. You'll need to cover the remaining 1/3 yourself.
How Do I Find a Certified Contractor? The My Safe Florida Home website has a searchable database of certified contractors in your area.
How Long Does the Process Take? The timeframe can vary depending on inspections, contractor availability, and project complexity. But hey, a little patience goes a long way towards a safer home!
