My Safe Florida Grant Program Aims To “Harden” More Condo Associations

In 2024, the My Safe Florida Condominium Grant Program was signed into law, intended to help condo associations put better hurricane protections in place via grants and free inspections. However, it has had a somewhat troubled launch, with this year’s launch being pushed back to August. Still, barring catastrophe, condo associations will still have the opportunity to apply for grants aimed at ‘hardening’ their hurricane protections.

Most Issues Hopefully Lead To Better Outcomes

The program was quite popular in 2024, serving so many applicants that as of this writing, many have not received funding one year later. The governor and the state legislature also engaged in a protracted budget dispute, with funds only being allocated recently despite the intended relaunch of the program on July 1, 2025. That said, the allocation for 2025 is significantly more than that for 2024 – around $280 million – so in theory, more applicants may be served.

Given the predicted severity of 2025’s storm season, and in light of the staffing instability at the federal National Weather Service, any tool for associations to minimize casualties and damages must be a welcome one. That said, the eligibility requirements have changed for 2025, which may eliminate past applicants – a condo association must do its due diligence to ensure that it still qualifies before going ahead.

Eligibility Requirements Weed Out Applicants

The terms of each proposed grant are fairly straightforward, but have changed since 2024. In 2025, only buildings (1) at least three stories high, who are (2) in compliance with their milestone and structural integrity reserve surveys, required after the 2021 Surfside collapse, will even be considered for grants. The building must be occupied and have at least two or more units. In addition, instead of 100 percent of the unit owners, only 75 percent of the owners must approve of applying for the grant.

On top of this, any improvement for which a grant will be used must have previously been identified in a wind mitigation survey, and its replacement must result in a wind mitigation credit before funds will be approved. In other words, improvements which would not be useful in protecting against hurricanes will not be funded. This can feel like a lot of hoops to jump through for the applicant, but it makes little sense to fund improvements that will not protect against high winds.

Contact A Tampa Condominium Association Attorney

If you are a board member and believe your condominium association may benefit from hurricane ‘hardening,’ consulting a Tampa condominium association attorney from the Seward Law Office may help to clarify your options. Contact our office today to schedule a consultation.

Source:

wptv.com/money/real-estate-news/condo-owners-can-apply-for-my-safe-florida-home-pilot-program-starting-july-1