If you’re a Florida homeowner looking to protect your home from hurricanes while saving thousands on insurance, the My Safe Florida Home program could be one of the best opportunities available to you in 2026. This state-funded program provides matching grants of up to $10,000 for wind mitigation improvements — including impact windows and doors, storm shutters, reinforced garage doors, and roof upgrades.
At Precision Aluminum & Remodeling, we’ve been helping Southwest Florida homeowners with impact windows, storm shutters, and home hardening projects since 1987. Here’s everything you need to know about the My Safe Florida Home program and how to take advantage of it.
What Is the My Safe Florida Home Program?
The My Safe Florida Home (MSFH) program is a state-funded initiative administered by the Florida Department of Financial Services. It offers two key benefits to eligible homeowners:
- Free wind mitigation home inspections conducted by certified inspectors
- Matching grants up to $10,000 for approved hurricane protection improvements
For the 2025–2026 fiscal year, the Florida Legislature allocated $280 million in program funding. Governor DeSantis has also proposed an additional $600 million expansion, which includes $480 million to clear the waitlist of 45,000 homeowners who have already completed inspections and are waiting for grant funding, plus $109 million in recurring annual funds.
How the Grant Matching Works
The My Safe Florida Home grant operates on a 2-to-1 matching structure. For every $1 you contribute toward eligible improvements, the state provides $2 — up to a maximum state contribution of $10,000.
Here’s what that looks like in practice:
- $5,000 project: You pay approximately $1,667, the state covers $3,333
- $10,000 project: You pay approximately $3,333, the state covers $6,667
- $15,000 project: You pay $5,000, the state covers $10,000 (max)
- $30,000+ project: You pay $20,000+, the state covers $10,000 (max)
Low-income homeowners (earning 80% or less of their county’s median income) may qualify for the full $10,000 grant without any personal contribution.
Eligible Home Improvements
The program covers a range of wind mitigation upgrades designed to harden your home against hurricane-force winds. Eligible improvements include:
- Impact-rated windows and doors — Must meet Florida Building Code “Opening Protection” standards
- Storm shutters — Accordion, roll-down, Bahama, and panel-style shutters that meet wind load requirements
- Reinforced garage doors — Wind-rated garage doors with proper bracing
- Roof-to-wall connections — Hurricane clips or straps securing the roof structure to walls
- Secondary water barriers — Roof deck protection (peel-and-stick or foam adhesive) to prevent water intrusion
- Roof covering upgrades — When done in conjunction with other mitigation improvements
Impact windows and storm shutters are among the most popular improvements funded through the program because they provide immediate protection for the most vulnerable parts of your home — the openings.
Who Is Eligible?
To qualify for the My Safe Florida Home program, you must meet these requirements:
Inspection Eligibility
- Your home must be a single-family detached residence or townhouse
- The home must be site-built (not a manufactured or mobile home)
- You must be the owner-occupant of the property
Grant Eligibility (Additional Requirements)
- You must have received an initial inspection through the program
- The home’s insured value must be $700,000 or less (low-income homeowners are exempt from this cap)
- The original building permit must have been filed before January 1, 2008
- The home must be your primary residence with an active Florida homestead exemption
- You must provide proof of active homeowners insurance
Priority Groups for 2025–2026
Applications are processed in a priority order based on income and age:
- Group 1: Low-income seniors (age 60+) — Applications opened August 4, 2025
- Group 2: Low-income homeowners (under 60) — Applications opened August 18, 2025
- Group 3: Moderate-income seniors (age 60+) — Applications opened September 1, 2025
- Group 4: Moderate-income homeowners (under 60) — Applications opened September 15, 2025
Low-income is defined as earning 80% or less of your county’s area median income (AMI). Moderate-income is 120% or less of AMI. In Lee County, this covers the majority of homeowners.
How to Apply: Step-by-Step
Here’s the process to take advantage of the My Safe Florida Home program:
Step 1: Create Your Account
Visit mysafeflhome.com and create an account. Complete the prioritization survey to determine which eligibility group you fall into.
Step 2: Request Your Free Inspection
Once your application is processed, you’ll be scheduled for a free wind mitigation inspection. A certified inspector will evaluate your home’s vulnerabilities and recommend specific improvements.
Step 3: Receive Your Inspection Report
The inspection report will detail exactly which mitigation improvements your home qualifies for under the grant program. This report is also valuable for your insurance company — it can immediately lead to premium reductions.
Step 4: Get Quotes from Licensed Contractors
With your inspection report in hand, get quotes from licensed contractors for the recommended improvements. All contractors must be properly licensed and insured in the State of Florida. At Precision Aluminum & Remodeling, we hold Florida contractor license CBC 1262890 and have been performing these exact installations since 1987.
Step 5: Submit Your Grant Application
Upload your contractor quote to the MSFH portal. The state will review and approve your grant before you begin work. Important: Do not sign contracts or begin any work until you receive official grant approval.
Step 6: Complete the Installation
Once approved, your licensed contractor completes the installation. After completion, a final inspection verifies the work meets program standards.
Step 7: Receive Your Grant Reimbursement
After the final inspection, the state issues your grant reimbursement. Processing typically takes several weeks after project completion.
Insurance Savings from Wind Mitigation
Beyond the grant itself, wind mitigation improvements can dramatically reduce your homeowners insurance premiums. Florida law requires insurance companies to provide premium discounts for homes with verified wind mitigation features.
Common savings include:
- Impact windows and doors: Opening protection discounts of 20–40% on the wind portion of your premium
- Storm shutters: Similar opening protection discounts when properly rated and installed
- Roof upgrades: Additional credits for roof-to-wall connections and secondary water barriers
Many Southwest Florida homeowners report saving $500 to $2,000+ per year on insurance after completing wind mitigation improvements. Over 10 years, that’s $5,000 to $20,000 in savings on top of the grant you receive.
Why Impact Windows Are the Best Investment
Impact windows are consistently the most cost-effective improvement you can make through the MSFH program. Here’s why:
- 24/7 protection — Unlike shutters that need to be deployed before a storm, impact windows are always in place
- Highest insurance discounts — Impact-rated opening protection qualifies for the maximum wind mitigation credits
- Energy efficiency — Impact windows also reduce heat transfer, lowering your cooling costs
- Noise reduction — Laminated glass significantly reduces outside noise
- Home value — Impact windows add measurable resale value to your property
- No maintenance — No deployment needed before storms, no storage issues
Storm shutters remain an excellent and more affordable alternative. Accordion shutters, roll-down shutters, and Bahama shutters all qualify under the program and provide the same wind protection rating.
Working with Precision Aluminum & Remodeling
As a licensed Florida contractor (CBC 1262890) and family-owned, veteran-owned business serving Southwest Florida since 1987, Precision Aluminum & Remodeling is fully experienced with the My Safe Florida Home program process. We can help you:
- Understand which improvements maximize your grant value
- Provide MSFH-formatted quotes for your portal submission
- Install impact windows, storm shutters, and other qualifying improvements to code
- Complete the process from inspection to final verification
We serve homeowners throughout Lee County (Fort Myers, North Fort Myers, Cape Coral), Collier County (Naples, Bonita Springs, Estero), Charlotte County (Port Charlotte), and Sarasota County.
Ready to get started? Contact us today for a free consultation about your My Safe Florida Home project. Call (239) 673-8357 or visit our office at 1430 Brown Rd, North Fort Myers, FL 33903.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much money can I get from My Safe Florida Home?
The maximum grant is $10,000. The program uses a 2-to-1 match: for every $1 you spend, the state contributes $2. So on a $15,000 project, you’d pay $5,000 and the state would cover $10,000. Low-income homeowners may qualify for the full grant without any personal contribution.
Do I qualify if my home was built after 2008?
Unfortunately, no. Your home’s original building permit must have been filed before January 1, 2008. Homes built after that date already meet current Florida Building Code wind resistance standards.
Can I use the grant for storm shutters?
Yes. Storm shutters — including accordion, roll-down, Bahama, and panel-style — are eligible improvements under the program, as long as they meet Florida Building Code wind load requirements.
How long does the process take?
The timeline varies depending on program demand and your priority group. Generally, expect 2–4 months from initial application to grant approval. Installation timelines depend on the scope of work and your contractor’s schedule.
Will I need to pay anything upfront?
Standard grant recipients pay approximately one-third of the project cost (the 1:2 match). Low-income homeowners may receive the full $10,000 without any personal match. You should not sign contracts or make payments until your grant is officially approved.
Can I still get insurance discounts without the grant?
Yes. Any wind mitigation improvements — whether funded through the MSFH program or paid out of pocket — qualify for insurance premium discounts. You just need a wind mitigation inspection report to submit to your insurance company.
Is the program available in Lee County and Southwest Florida?
Yes. The My Safe Florida Home program is available statewide to all eligible Florida homeowners. We serve Lee County (Fort Myers, Cape Coral, North Fort Myers), Collier County (Naples, Bonita Springs, Estero), Charlotte County (Port Charlotte), and Sarasota County.
