Do you live in Florida? Here’s how you can get free funds to protect your home from the next cyclone

Homeowners in Florida can now apply again for funds from the My Safe Florida Home program, designed to help strengthen structures against hurricanes and reduce insurance costs.

Florida Politics reported that the reopening of this initiative coincides with warnings from experts about increased cyclonic activity in the coming months, due to record ocean temperatures in the Atlantic and atmospheric conditions favorable for storms.

With a new backing of 280 million dollars, the program offers free inspections to detect vulnerabilities in homes, along with equivalent grants to make improvements such as impact-resistant windows, reinforced roofs, and storm-certified doors.

Since its launch in 2023, thousands of Floridians have benefited from the program, which this year prioritizes four groups: low- or moderate-income homeowners, those over 60, and those under 60.

Particular attention will be given to low-income elderly individuals, emphasized the news portal.

The process consists of two steps: first, a free inspection is requested, and then an application is submitted for the grant to implement the improvements recommended by the technicians.

“The program allows for action before the hurricane, not after,” declared Tim Weisheyer, president of Florida Realtors, as quoted by the media.

“Prepare homes, lower insurance, and protect what matters most,” he added.

The state legislature increased the budget this year by an additional 100 million, and the program received bipartisan support for its potential to save recovery costs.

Studies show that for every dollar invested in prevention, six are saved in post-disaster damages.

Authorities recommend that eligible property owners submit their applications as soon as possible, as high demand is anticipated before the next cyclones arrive.

Simultaneously, starting from August 1, 2025, residents of Florida can purchase a wide range of essential products for hurricane preparedness without paying state sales tax.

This permanent tax exemption, which is already in effect, was approved by the state legislature and signed by Governor Ron DeSantis as part of the latest state budget.

With this new legislation, the traditional model of "tax holidays" - which consisted of limited exemptions of one or two weeks per year - has been replaced by continuous tax coverage throughout the 12 months, facilitating access to essential supplies at any time.

However, last April, it was reported that the state of Florida ceased to receive nearly $300 million in federal funds intended to strengthen its infrastructure against hurricanes, floods, and other natural disasters, after the government of Donald Trump canceled the BRIC program (Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities), managed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).

The decision, announced this week by the new FEMA director, Cameron Hamilton, has raised concerns among local officials and climate resilience experts, especially since last hurricane season was the most active in the past 40 years and the next one is already approaching, reported the channel Univisión.

On the other hand, in February, a new bill was introduced in the Florida Senate (the SB 724), called "Fallen Trees Act", which stipulated that the owner of a property would be responsible for the expenses resulting from damages caused to others if a tree planted in their yard or garden fell onto someone else's property.

Frequently asked questions about the My Safe Florida Home program and tax exemptions in Florida