My Safe Florida Home Eligibility Requirements: Do You Qualify?
Wondering if you qualify for the My Safe Florida Home Program? This comprehensive guide breaks down every eligibility requirement for both free inspections and grants up to $10,000. Use our interactive checklist to determine your qualification status instantly.
Quick Eligibility Checker
Check all that apply to see if you qualify:
For Free Hurricane Mitigation Inspection:
- My home is a single-family detached house or townhouse
- I have a homestead exemption on the property
- My home is my primary residence
- I’m a Florida resident
For Grant Funding (Additional Requirements):
- My home has completed the MSFH inspection
- My home is insured for $700,000 or less (OR I qualify as low-income)
- My home’s building permit was issued before January 1, 2008
- I can provide a licensed Florida contractor for the work
Result: If you checked all boxes in the first section, you qualify for a free inspection. If you checked all boxes in both sections, you may qualify for grant funding up to $10,000.
Detailed Eligibility Requirements
Part 1: Free Hurricane Mitigation Inspection Eligibility
Property Type Requirements
Your home must be a single-family, detached residential property or townhouse … PLEASE NOTE: Single-family homes that are attached to other units will be treated as Townhouses for the purposes of the My Safe FL Home Program.
✅ ELIGIBLE Property Types:
- Single-family detached homes: Stand-alone houses not connected to other units
- Townhouses: Single-family units in a series or group of attached units separated by property lines
- Townhouse restrictions: Must not exceed 3 stories in height
❌ NOT ELIGIBLE Property Types:
- Condominiums (separate My Safe Florida Condo pilot program available)
- Apartments or duplexes
- Mobile homes or manufactured homes
- Modular homes
- Commercial properties
- Investment properties without homestead exemption
Homestead Exemption Requirement
The homeowner must have been granted a homestead exemption on the home under chapter 196,F.S.
What is Homestead Exemption?
- Legal designation that the property is your primary residence
- Provides property tax benefits
- Must be filed with your county property appraiser
- Required to be renewed annually in some counties
How to Check Homestead Status:
- Contact your county Property Appraiser office
- Visit your county’s property appraiser website
- Search by property address or owner name
- Look for “homestead” designation on property records
Broward County Property Appraiser: (954) 357-6830
Miami-Dade County Property Appraiser: (305) 375-4712
Part 2: Grant Funding Additional Requirements
If you qualify for the free inspection, you may also be eligible for grant funding up to $10,000. Here are the additional requirements:
Inspection Completion Requirement
- The home must have received an Initial Inspection through the Program.
- Must use MSFH program-assigned inspector
- Cannot use private wind mitigation inspection
- Inspection must identify recommended improvements
- Must receive official inspection report
Home Value Requirement
The home must be a dwelling with an insured value of $700,000 or less. Low-Income Homeowners are exempt from this requirement.
Important Notes:
- Based on insurance coverage amount, not market value
- Homeowners who are low-income persons, as defined in s. 420.0004(11), are exempt from this requirement
- If you qualify as low-income, there’s no insurance value limit
Home Age Requirement
The building permit application for initial construction of the home must have been made before January 1, 2008.
Why This Requirement? Homes built after 2008 were constructed under newer building codes with enhanced hurricane resistance requirements.
South Florida Income Limits (2025)
Broward County Income Limits:
- Family Size 1: Low-income: Up to $57,300 / Moderate-income: Up to $85,950
- Family Size 2: Low-income: Up to $65,500 / Moderate-income: Up to $98,250
- Family Size 3: Low-income: Up to $73,700 / Moderate-income: Up to $110,550
- Family Size 4: Low-income: Up to $81,850 / Moderate-income: Up to $122,775
Miami-Dade County Income Limits:
- Family Size 1: Low-income: Up to $54,500 / Moderate-income: Up to $81,720
- Family Size 2: Low-income: Up to $62,280 / Moderate-income: Up to $93,420
- Family Size 3: Low-income: Up to $70,070 / Moderate-income: Up to $105,105
- Family Size 4: Low-income: Up to $77,840 / Moderate-income: Up to $116,760
What Counts as Income?
Income includes wages, assets, contributions, and other resources counted as income by HUD, adjusted for family size, minus certain tax deductions.
Included in Income Calculation:
- Wages and salaries
- Self-employment income
- Social Security benefits
- Pension and retirement benefits
- Investment income
- Rental income
- Other sources as defined by HUD
Get Your Free Eligibility Assessment
Unsure about your qualification status? Broward Impact offers free consultations to help you understand your options.
Free Assessment Includes:
- Complete eligibility review
- Property evaluation for hurricane vulnerabilities
- Insurance discount analysis
- My Safe Florida Home program guidance
- Alternative protection recommendations
Whether you qualify for My Safe Florida Home grants or need hurricane protection now, Broward Impact has the experience and solutions to protect your South Florida home.
