Hurricane season keeps coming, and insurance costs in Miami are not getting any lighter. If you own a home in Miami-Dade, the My Safe Florida Home program can help you harden your home and may reduce your premium. This guide gives you a Miami-focused checklist for eligibility, documents, the application steps, and smart tips to avoid delays. Let’s dive in.
What is My Safe Florida Home?
My Safe Florida Home (MSFH) provides free wind-mitigation inspections and matching grants to help you complete recommended home-hardening upgrades like impact windows, roof attachments, and secondary water barriers. You must follow the program’s process for the work to qualify, and only inspector-recommended items are eligible for funding. Review the program’s homeowner guidance for scope, steps, and rules in the official guide summary. Learn the core rules and steps.
New funding is available. The Legislature allocated $280 million for the 2025–2026 cycle, and the portal reopened in stages on August 4, 2025. Access rolls out by priority group and funds are limited. See the funding and reopening update.
Are you eligible in Miami?
You must live in and claim homestead on the property, which must be a single-family home or eligible townhouse. The original building permit must predate January 1, 2008, and the insured dwelling value (Coverage A) generally must be $700,000 or less, with limited exceptions for qualifying low-income applicants. Check the statutory rules that govern eligibility, inspection timelines, and documentation. Review the statute-based requirements.
MSFH uses a Prioritization Questionnaire to place you into a group based on household income and age. Limited funds open by group, so complete the questionnaire in your Applicant Portal as soon as possible. Miami-Dade income thresholds use local AMI data to define low and moderate income.
Quick Miami AMI snapshot
- 80% AMI examples: 1-person household about $69,400; 4-person household about $99,100.
- Moderate income may extend up to 120% AMI, which for a 4-person household is approximately $148,680.
Check current local limits to see which group may apply to you: Miami income limits resource.
What improvements qualify?
Only items recommended in your free Initial Hurricane Mitigation Inspection can be funded. Eligible categories include:
- Opening protection: impact windows/doors, code-compliant shutters, and rated garage doors.
- Roof-to-wall connections: straps, clips, and connectors that secure the roof to the walls.
- Roof deck attachment: improved nailing patterns or fasteners.
- Secondary water resistance: approved underlayments or methods to keep water out if shingles are damaged.
Townhouses are typically limited to opening protection. See the program’s improvement definitions and limits in the homeowner guide summary: Eligible improvements overview.
How much can you get?
Grants reimburse on a 2-to-1 match up to a $10,000 state contribution. That means the state pays up to two-thirds and you pay one-third of eligible costs, within the cap. Some years have provided modified rules for qualifying low-income homeowners. Check the latest applicant guidance for the current cycle. See the matching formula in statute.
Example: If your eligible project totals $9,000, the state portion can be up to $6,000 and your share would be about $3,000.
Your step-by-step Miami checklist
1) Pre-application
- Confirm your homestead exemption status through the Miami-Dade Property Appraiser and save your proof.
- Download your current homeowner’s insurance declarations page showing Coverage A. Aim for Coverage A at or below $700,000 unless you qualify for a low-income exception. Statutory rules here.
- Gather photo ID, a list of household members, and income documentation to complete the Prioritization Questionnaire.
2) Application and inspection
- Create your account in the MSFH Applicant Portal and complete the Prioritization Questionnaire. This controls when your window opens.
- When your group opens, request the free Initial Hurricane Mitigation Inspection. The written report will list recommended, eligible upgrades. Reports generally remain valid for 24 months. Inspection and timing guidance.
3) Grant application and contractor selection
- Select only the improvements recommended in your inspection report when you submit the grant application through the portal.
- Choose a licensed Florida contractor, obtain written estimates, and confirm they will pull Miami-Dade permits. Since mid-2024, the program does not maintain a contractor list, so the choice is yours. Contractor policy update.
- Bold rule: Do not start any work until your grant is formally approved. Work begun early will not be reimbursed. Program rule summary.
4) Construction, final inspection, and reimbursement
- After approval, your contractor completes the work and closes required Miami-Dade permits.
- Schedule the MSFH Final Inspection so the inspector can verify the improvements.
- Submit your Draw Request through the portal with a paid-in-full invoice, proof of payment, the Final Inspection Report, and any updated insurance documentation showing premium changes. Draw and documentation checklist.
Tips to avoid delays and denials
- Complete the Prioritization Questionnaire early. Some past cycles saw backlogs and paused portals. Being queued correctly can protect your place. Background on prior backlogs.
- Keep everything in writing: estimates, contracts, change orders, lien releases, and permit numbers.
- Verify your contractor’s active Florida license and references, and confirm they will handle Miami-Dade permit requirements. Why this matters now.
- Watch for scams. Use only official program channels, emails, and the published call center. Scam warning signs to know.
- Even if funds run out, the free inspection alone can help you identify insurance discounts or smart upgrades. Program value and reopening context.
Local notes for Miami-Dade
- Homestead proof: request it from the Miami-Dade Property Appraiser and save a PDF or screenshot for upload.
- Permitting: Miami-Dade product approvals for impact-rated windows and doors are common. Your contractor should reference the correct approvals on the permit application.
- HOA/condo approvals: if applicable, secure association approvals before scheduling work.
- Timing: plan your project so material lead times and inspections do not collide with peak storm months.
- Insurance: after your final inspection, ask your insurer for a revised declarations page or discount letter and upload it promptly.
If you are weighing upgrades that could improve value, reduce risk, or make selling easier later, let’s talk through your options. For Miami-Dade and South Florida guidance on buying, selling, and planning smart home improvements, connect with Michelle Nelson.
FAQs
How do Miami homeowners start an MSFH application in 2025?
- Create your Applicant Portal account, complete the Prioritization Questionnaire, request the free inspection when your group opens, then apply for the grant using the items recommended in your inspection report.
What documents will I need for the grant?
- Proof of homestead exemption, your current insurance declarations page showing Coverage A, photo ID, household and income info, contractor details, permits, final paid invoice, and proof of any insurance premium change after work is done.
Can I begin construction before I get grant approval?
- No. Starting work early makes the project ineligible for reimbursement, so wait for formal approval before any installation begins.
My home was built after January 1, 2008. Am I eligible?
- Probably not. The statute requires the initial construction permit to predate January 1, 2008 for grant funding eligibility.
What if MSFH funds run out before my group opens?
- You can still request the free inspection when available and use the report to pursue potential insurance discounts or plan future upgrades.
Are Miami townhouses eligible for roof work under MSFH?
- Townhouses are generally limited to opening protection; roof-related items are treated differently and often are not eligible for townhouses.
