Updated November 4, 2026
Short version
My Safe Florida Home is a Florida program that offers free home wind inspections and grants toward hurricane upgrades. Opening protection is one of the covered upgrades. As of early November 2026, we could not confirm from official sources whether new applications are open. The program site shows inspections and grants as available but lists no dates. Check mysafeflhome.com before you plan around it.
What the official site says
The program's FAQ says it is subject to annual legislative appropriations and that applications open in phases, starting with low-income applicants aged 60 or older. The phase dates are listed as to be determined (program FAQ). The home page says it will keep collecting contact information from interested people as the Legislature considers new opportunities (program site).
A May 2026 news report said lawmakers were not proposing new money for the program that year, and that unspent funds from the prior year were expected to keep grants going (WFLX report). A 2026 bill that would have changed the program's rules, SB 1502, died in committee in March 2026 (bill page).
Who can qualify, per the program FAQ and statute
- The home must be a site-built, owner-occupied single-family home on its own parcel, or a townhouse, with a homestead exemption.
- The insured value must be $700,000 or less.
- The building permit for the original construction must have been applied for before January 1, 2008.
- You must first receive an initial inspection through the program, using an inspector the program assigns.
These come from the FAQ and Florida Statute 215.5586. The statute may change, so verify before relying on this list.
How the grant works
- The standard grant matches $2 from the state for every $1 you pay, up to $10,000 from the state.
- Low-income homeowners can receive up to $10,000 with no match.
- You are reimbursed after the work is finished, with a paid-in-full invoice, for the standard grant.
- You need grant approval before construction starts.
Windows and doors specifically
The FAQ lists windows, doors, garage doors and skylights as "opening protection." An upgrade is only funded if it appears in your initial inspection report and is confirmed in the final inspection. For townhouses, the statute says grants may be used only for opening protection. The statute also says the program may require improvements to all openings as a condition of reimbursement.
Contractor rules
The statute says work must be done by properly licensed contractors and under all required local permits and inspections. The application must name the contractor and license number, and the state verifies the license. Construction must be completed, and a final inspection requested, within one year of approval, unless an extension is granted.
How we would handle it
Do not sign a contract on the assumption that a grant will come through. Start with the free inspection if it is available to you, wait for written grant approval, and then hire. A good installer will know how the program's paperwork works. When you ask for quotes through us, tell us whether you plan to apply.
Why this page is cautious
Funding for the program comes from the Legislature and has changed from year to year. News reports from earlier years described large waiting lists, openings in phases and changes to who could apply. Because of that history, any article that says the program is simply "open" or "closed" can go out of date quickly. The reliable source is the program's own website, which is why we point you there and describe only the rules that we could read in the statute and the FAQ.
Before you apply, gather
- Proof of your homestead exemption
- The year your home was built, which the program checks on the county property appraiser's website
- Your insured value from your insurance policy
- Quotes from licensed contractors, with their license numbers
Ask contractors whether they have worked with the program's inspection and final-inspection process.
Frequently asked questions
Is My Safe Florida Home open now?
We could not verify that. The official site shows grants as available with no dates. Check it directly.
Can I start work first and apply later?
No. The FAQ says grant approval must be received before any construction begins.
Does the program cover shutters or impact windows?
It covers opening protection (windows, doors, garage doors and skylights) when recommended in your inspection report. Ask the program about shutters.
What if I live in a condo?
The main program is for single-family homes and townhouses. The program site says a separate condo pilot runs on another site.