Fla. CFO Praises Lawmakers for Mitigation Program Legislation

Florida Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink applauded the Legislature’s passage of HB 7057, which makes improvements to the state’s My Safe Florida Home program.

HB 7057 was sponsored by State Representatives Anthony Trey Traveisa, R-Tampa, Michael Grant R-Port Charlotte, Robert “Rob” Schenck, R-Spring Hill and James “Jim” Waldman D-Coconut Creek and now heads to Gov. Charlie Crist for his signature. State Senator Bill Posey R-Rockledge sponsored SB 2596, the Senate companion.

Sink has been working with legislative leadership to make the program more efficient for Florida homeowners.

“The measures passed today (May 3) by the Legislature will allow the My Safe Florida Home program to serve more Floridians and to boost our efforts to educate homeowners about the importance of mitigation,” Sink said. “I look forward to increasing awareness about the financial and safety benefits available to Floridians who take steps to harden their homes.”

After being expanded statewide, the MSFH program in April resumed offering eligible Floridians free wind inspections. More than 50,000 homeowners are on the program’s waiting list and these homeowners should expect to be served by the end of the summer.

To date, the program has awarded nearly $200,000 to 88 Florida homeowners who hardened their homes against hurricanes. The homeowners, who received free wind inspections during the pilot phase of the program, are being reimbursed for half the cost of a variety of home improvements, including hurricane shutters, reinforced garage doors and roof enhancements. More than 5,100 Floridians are currently working on mitigation improvements and will receive their matching grants once the work has been completed.

The MSFH program helps Floridians identify how they can strengthen their homes and reduces the overall potential for hurricane damage.

Source: Florida Department of Financial Services