The Most Underused Program in South Florida
Most homeowners have never heard of it. Those who have often assume they do not qualify. The My Safe Florida Home program — a state-funded initiative that provides free wind mitigation inspections and matching grants of up to $10,000 for hurricane hardening improvements — is one of the most meaningful financial tools available to South Florida homeowners considering impact windows.
Here is everything you need to know for 2026.
What the Program Provides
The My Safe Florida Home program offers two things to qualifying homeowners:
A free wind mitigation inspection performed by a state-approved inspector. This inspection also serves as your official OIR-B1-1802 wind mitigation report for insurance purposes — a document that can immediately reduce your premium.
A matching grant of up to $10,000 toward qualifying hurricane hardening improvements. The state matches your spending dollar for dollar, up to the grant cap. A project totaling $20,000 in qualifying improvements, for example, would be eligible for $10,000 from the state with $10,000 from you.
Who Qualifies
To be eligible, your property must meet all of the following:
Single-family, site-built home. Condominiums, townhomes with shared walls, and mobile homes do not qualify under the standard program.
Owner-occupied primary residence with a current homestead exemption on file with your county property appraiser.
Insured by a Florida-authorized insurance company. Citizens and private carriers both satisfy this requirement.
Insured structure value of $700,000 or less. High-value properties above this threshold are not eligible.
Built before the 2002 Florida Building Code took effect. In most South Florida counties, this means the home was issued a certificate of occupancy before 2002.
Income-qualified homeowners — those earning 80 percent or less of the area median income — may be eligible for a higher grant amount that does not require a dollar-for-dollar match.
What the Grant Covers
Impact windows and impact doors are the most common use of MSFH grant funds — and the improvement most likely to deliver the largest insurance savings and storm protection return. Other qualifying improvements include roof deck attachment upgrades, secondary water resistance membrane, hip roof conversion, and exterior door reinforcement including garage doors.
How to Apply
Create an account at the official program portal and submit your application with your property address, insurance policy details, and homestead exemption documentation. Schedule your free wind mitigation inspection through the portal. Once your inspection is complete, select a state-approved contractor, obtain a quote, and submit it through the portal for grant approval. After the work is completed and inspected, submit your completion documentation for reimbursement.
The full process typically takes several weeks to a few months depending on application volume and your county's permitting timeline.
Why You Should Not Wait
MSFH funding is appropriated by the Florida Legislature each session. The program has been funded, paused, and refunded multiple times since it launched. When funding runs out, applications are waitlisted or closed until additional appropriations are made.
Applications are processed in the order received. If you believe you may qualify, applying now — before funds are exhausted — is the right move.
Independence Glassworks is familiar with the MSFH process. We can walk you through the contractor approval and documentation requirements as part of your free consultation.