My Safe Florida Home Grant Guide for Hudson & Tampa Bay Homeowners
The My Safe Florida Home (MSFH) program gives eligible Florida homeowners a free wind mitigation inspection and, for qualifying applicants, grant assistance of up to $10,000 toward approved hurricane-hardening improvements, including several roof-related upgrades. This guide was refreshed in August 2026 and explains how the roof side of the program works, who may qualify, what the inspection report controls, and how to avoid mistakes that can delay or disqualify a grant request.
1st Choice Roofing, Inc. has served Pasco, Hernando, Hillsborough, and Pinellas counties from our Hudson headquarters since 2004. We install the roof systems and roof-hardening improvements homeowners often ask about after receiving an MSFH inspection report. Florida licensed: Building Contractor CBC1253663 · Roofing Contractor CCC1327354.
Watch: The My Safe Florida Home Grant, Explained
Is My Safe Florida Home Still Open in 2026?
As of August 2026, the official My Safe Florida Home website is advertising free wind-mitigation inspections and grants of up to $10,000 for eligible homeowners. The program uses priority groups, inspection groups, and grant application windows, and funding or eligibility rules can change with each program cycle.
The safest move is to treat the official portal as the source of truth. Create or check your account at mysafeflhome.com, complete the required questionnaire and applications in the order shown in your portal, and do not sign a contract or start work until the program gives written approval that eligible mitigation work may begin.
Who Qualifies for an MSFH Grant in 2026?
Under HB 811 (2024), the grant program is currently limited to low- and moderate-income homeowners. To qualify for a grant in the current cycle, all of the following must be true:
Your home is a site-built, single-family detached house or townhouse (three stories or fewer). Mobile homes and condominiums are not eligible for the homeowner grant (condo associations have a separate pilot program).
The home is your primary residence with an active Florida homestead exemption.
The home’s original building permit was issued before January 1, 2008.
Your insured value (Coverage A on your homeowners policy) is $700,000 or less, and you carry an active homeowners insurance policy. Low-income homeowners are exempt from the insured-value cap.
Your household income is at or below 120% of your county’s median income (moderate-income tier). Homeowners at or below 80% of county median qualify for the low-income tier, which comes with a fully funded grant instead of a matching grant. Income limits are set by county from HUD data and update annually — check the current limits for Pasco, Hernando, Hillsborough, or Pinellas County when you apply.
Higher-income homeowners generally can’t receive a grant in the current cycle, but the free wind mitigation inspection is still available — and the inspection report alone can qualify you for insurance discounts.
What Roof Improvements Does the Grant Pay For?
Grant money can only be used for improvements recommended in your MSFH inspection report, and only for hardening the home against wind — never for aesthetics. The roof-related improvements are where most of the hurricane protection (and most of the insurance savings) lives:
Roof-to-wall connections. Installing or upgrading metal hurricane straps and tie-down clips that anchor your roof structure to the walls.
Roof deck attachment. Re-nailing or adding fasteners so the roof decking meets current wind-uplift standards.
Secondary water resistance (SWR). A sealed barrier that keeps water out even if the roof covering blows off in a storm. To qualify under the program, SWR must be a self-adhering polymer-modified bitumen (“peel-and-stick”) underlayment applied directly to the sheathing, or a closed-cell foam adhesive applied from the attic side. Standard felt underlayment does not qualify.
Roof covering upgrade. Replacing the roof covering with a stronger, code-current hurricane-rated system — shingle, tile, or metal — when your inspection report recommends it.
The program also funds opening protection (impact windows, hurricane shutters, wind-rated exterior and garage doors). For low-income applicants, up to $1,000 of the grant may go toward structural repairs — like replacing rotted wood — needed to install the authorized improvements.
How the $10,000 Grant Math Actually Works
The grant structure is set by Florida Statute 215.5586: for moderate-income homeowners, it’s a 2-to-1 match. For every $1 you spend on approved improvements, the state reimburses $2, up to a maximum state contribution of $10,000.
That means the full $10,000 requires a project of at least $15,000 — you pay $5,000, the state reimburses $10,000. On a smaller project, say $9,000 of approved work, you’d pay $3,000 and be reimbursed $6,000.
Low-income homeowners (at or below 80% of county median income) qualify for a fully funded grant up to the maximum instead of a match.
One important detail: this is a reimbursement program. You (or your financing) pay the contractor first, then submit paid-in-full invoices to the state for your reimbursement. Many homeowners pair the grant with financing to cover the gap — see our roof financing page.
How to Apply, Step by Step
- Create your account. Start at mysafeflhome.com and use the official participant portal.
- Complete the prioritization questionnaire. The current program flow uses this questionnaire to sort homeowners into a group based on age, household, income, and program criteria.
- Wait for your inspection group. The portal places applicants into Inspection Groups 1-5. Your group determines when the inspection application becomes available.
- Complete the inspection application. When your group window opens, submit the required home, contact, insurance, and scheduling information through the portal.
- Complete the free wind-mitigation inspection. An authorized program inspector reviews the home and prepares the initial inspection report.
- Review the inspection report carefully. Only improvements recommended in the program’s initial inspection report can move forward for grant funding.
- Apply for the grant if eligible. The grant application may require eligibility confirmation, insurance documentation, selected recommended improvements, and the name and state license number of your chosen contractor.
- Wait for written approval before work begins. Do not sign a contract or start mitigation work until the program confirms that the recommended work may begin.
- Complete the approved work and inspections. Your contractor handles the permitted roof work, the local building inspection, and the documentation needed for the final MSFH inspection.
- Submit the reimbursement or draw request. After the final inspection, submit the required invoices, proof of payment or financing documents when required, and any insurance-discount information requested by the program.
Program timelines vary. Watch your portal and email closely, respond quickly to any Request for Information, and confirm current deadlines in your official MSFH account.
The Five Mistakes That Cost Homeowners Their Grant
Following the steps in the wrong order. In the current portal flow, the prioritization questionnaire comes before the inspection application. Follow the order shown in your MSFH account.
Starting work too early. Work that begins before the program gives written approval may not be eligible for reimbursement. Do not sign a contract or start construction until your portal says the recommended work may begin.
Choosing upgrades that are not in your inspection report. The grant is tied to the improvements recommended by the official MSFH initial inspection report. A useful roof upgrade that is not listed in the report may still be good for the home, but it may not be grant-funded.
Missing portal emails or Requests for Information. The program can ask for more information during inspection, grant, contractor, or draw review. Missing a response deadline can cause a case to be administratively closed.
Letting insurance, contractor, or invoice details get out of sync. Keep copies of your insurance documents, contractor license information, permits, invoices, proof of payment or financing, and final inspection paperwork so the draw request matches the approved project.
Grant-Funded Roof Work in Pasco, Hernando, Hillsborough & Pinellas Counties
MSFH homeowners select their own properly licensed contractor, and the program recommends using a Florida-licensed contractor for any improvement work. Contractor requirements can change by cycle, so we match our scope to your inspection report and your current portal instructions.
Here’s how we handle grant-funded roof projects: we start with a free assessment and a written scope matched line-by-line to your MSFH inspection report. We build wind mitigation into the roof system itself, such as qualifying sealed roof deck/SWR details, code-current deck fastening, and approved roof system options when they are listed in your report. 1st Choice Roofing is an Owens Corning Preferred Contractor and GAF Certified Weather Stopper Contractor. We pull the permits, coordinate required local inspections, and provide itemized invoices and documentation for your draw request or final program paperwork.
After completion, the final mitigation documentation can help your insurance carrier review available wind-mitigation discounts. Savings are not guaranteed and depend on the home, policy, insurer, and approved improvements. We never ask you to start work before written approval, and we’ll tell you plainly if something you want is not in your inspection report.
My Safe Florida Home — Your Questions, Answered
My Safe Florida Home is a state program administered by the Florida Department of Financial Services. It provides eligible Florida homeowners a free wind-mitigation inspection and, for qualifying applicants, grant assistance of up to $10,000 for approved hurricane-hardening improvements such as roof improvements, secondary water resistance, roof-to-wall connections, roof deck attachment, and opening protection.
As of August 2026, the official My Safe Florida Home website is advertising free wind-mitigation inspections and grants of up to $10,000 for eligible homeowners. Application access, funding, and grant windows can change, so homeowners should confirm the current status in the official portal at mysafeflhome.com before making project decisions.
The maximum state contribution is $10,000. Under a matching grant, the homeowner is generally reimbursed for two-thirds of the eligible project cost, up to that $10,000 maximum. Low-income grants may not require matching funds, but all funding is subject to program approval, available appropriations, and the rules shown in the homeowner’s official MSFH portal.
Grant eligibility starts with inspection eligibility: the home generally must be a site-built, owner-occupied single-family detached residential property or townhouse with a Florida homestead exemption. For grant funding, the home must also have received an initial MSFH inspection, have an insured value of $700,000 or less, have been built before January 1, 2008, and meet the program’s income and documentation rules. The homeowner must also provide the selected contractor’s name and license number and make the home available for final inspection.
Yes. The MSFH wind-mitigation inspection is free for eligible homeowners and carries no obligation to apply for a grant. The inspection report documents hurricane-resistant features and recommended improvements, and it can also help your insurance carrier evaluate possible wind-mitigation discounts.
It can cover a roof covering upgrade — replacing your roof covering with a stronger hurricane-rated system — but only when your MSFH inspection report recommends it. The program funds wind hardening, not roof replacement for age or leaks alone, so the inspection report controls what qualifies.
Four categories: roof-to-wall connection upgrades like hurricane straps, roof deck re-nailing to current wind standards, secondary water resistance (a sealed peel-and-stick barrier under the covering), and a hurricane-rated roof covering upgrade when recommended. All must appear in your inspection report.
Secondary Water Resistance, often called SWR, generally means a self-adhered underlayment material applied to the roof deck to help reduce water intrusion if the roof covering is damaged. MSFH grant eligibility depends on the improvement listed in your official initial inspection report and the program rules in effect for your case.
Homeowners select their own properly licensed contractor, and the contractor must have an active Florida license that meets program requirements. Contractor rules can change between cycles, so verify the current rules in your official MSFH portal. 1st Choice Roofing holds Florida Certified Roofing Contractor CCC1327354 and Florida Certified Building Contractor CBC1253663, both verifiable through the Florida DBPR at myfloridalicense.com.
Only after the program gives written approval or your portal status clearly allows the recommended mitigation work to begin. Work that starts too early, or work that is not tied to the approved recommendations, may not qualify for reimbursement or disbursement.
Timelines vary by portal group, inspection availability, grant review, contractor scheduling, permits, weather, and requests for information. Plan for a multi-step process rather than a quick rebate. Watch your MSFH portal and email closely, and do not start work until your case status allows the recommended mitigation work to begin.
MSFH is generally a reimbursement or disbursement process. After approved work is completed and inspected, the homeowner submits the required draw request documents, which may include invoices, proof of payment or financing documents, contractor information, and insurance-discount information requested by the program. Low-income participants may have different proof-of-payment requirements, so follow the instructions in the official portal.
The prioritization questionnaire is one of the first required steps in the current portal flow. It helps sort homeowners into program groups based on age, household, income, and other program criteria. Your group affects when the inspection application and later grant steps become available, so do not skip it.
Log into your official MSFH account and check your case status. If your initial inspection is still valid, the portal will show what step is available next, such as the prioritization questionnaire, eligibility confirmation, contractor confirmation, or a request for information. Do not rely on old emails or assumptions; the portal is the source of truth for your case.
The current program uses five groups. Groups 1-4 are based on low-income or moderate-income status and whether the homeowner is age 60 or older. Group 5 is for above-moderate-income homeowners and is for inspection application access only. Your group controls when inspection or grant application access opens in the portal.
Possibly. Above-moderate-income homeowners may still be able to access the free wind-mitigation inspection path, and the report can help document potential insurance discounts. Grant access is prioritized by program group and eligibility rules, so check mysafeflhome.com for the current cycle before making decisions.
Mobile homes, manufactured homes, condominiums, cooperatives, multifamily properties, retirement homes, second homes, vacation homes, and rental properties are not eligible for the standard homeowner inspection/grant path. The homeowner program generally applies to site-built, owner-occupied single-family detached homes and townhouses with a homestead exemption. Condominium associations have a separate My Safe Florida Condo Pilot program with different rules.
They may. The inspection report and final mitigation documentation can help your insurance carrier evaluate wind-mitigation discounts, but savings are not guaranteed and depend on your home, policy, insurer, and the improvements completed. After the work is finished, contact your insurance agent or carrier and provide the updated mitigation documentation.
The program is designed for approved hurricane-mitigation improvements, not general roof repair or wood replacement. If damaged decking or structural work is needed before an approved mitigation item can be installed correctly, talk with your contractor and follow the instructions in your MSFH portal to confirm what documentation and costs may be eligible.
Yes. Deadlines are handled through your MSFH portal and program notices. Respond quickly to any Request for Information; missing a response deadline can cause an application or draw request to be administratively closed. The program also requires the final MSFH inspection to be requested within one year of grant approval, unless an approved extension applies.
Apply for your free inspection at mysafeflhome.com. If your report recommends roof improvements, call 1st Choice Roofing at (727) 847-7663 for a free assessment and a written scope matched to your inspection report — we handle MSFH roof projects across all four counties and never start work before your written grant approval.
Yes. We hold two Florida licenses — Certified Roofing Contractor CCC1327354 and Certified Building Contractor CBC1253663, both verifiable through the Florida DBPR at myfloridalicense.com. We are also an Owens Corning Preferred Contractor and GAF Certified Weather Stopper Contractor, serving Tampa Bay from Hudson since 2004.
Get Your Roof Grant-Ready
Start with the free state inspection at mysafeflhome.com. Then bring us the report — we’ll give you a free assessment, a grant-eligible written scope, and a roof built to the wind standards this program exists to fund.
Call (727) 847-7663 · info@1stchoiceroofers.com · 7837 Rhodes Rd, Hudson, FL 34667
1st Choice Roofing, Inc. · Serving Pasco, Hernando, Hillsborough & Pinellas counties since 2004 — over 20 years
Licensed Building Contractor CBC1253663 · Licensed Roofing Contractor CCC1327354 · 4.8-Star Google Rating · 340+ Reviews