A Florida program that inspects houses to see if they are storm-protected and gives grants to help homeowners strengthen their dwellings has a high satisfaction rating among participants, the state announced yesterday.
Florida Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink said in a statement that a survey of Floridians participating in the My Safe Florida Home (MSFH) program found 97 percent of homeowners rated the application process as easy or somewhat easy; 80 percent rated their overall experience as excellent or good; and 82 percent of respondents said they are willing to recommend the program to neighbors as hurricane season draws closer.
Her announcement said the inspection satisfaction survey was sent to 19,795 participants with a response rate of 23 percent (4,636). Only single family homes are eligible.
Ms. Sink said, "One year ago, we reorganized the My Safe Florida Home program to help Floridians harden their homes against hurricane damage. I'm pleased that hundreds of thousands of Floridians are working with the program to build a culture of mitigation in our state."
MSFH, re-launched in April 2007, has provided more than 214,100 free wind inspections to Floridians. Participating homeowners receive a wind inspection report, which suggests ways homeowners can harden their homes against storm damage and informs homeowners if they are currently eligible to save money on their wind insurance premiums.
According to Ms. Sink's announcement, more than 60 percent of homeowners receiving free wind inspections have learned they are already eligible for an average savings of $226, and 34 percent of respondents report taking advantage of these savings–without making a single improvement.
Florida residents whose homes have received free wind inspections from the MSFH program may also be eligible to apply–on a first come, first served basis–for matching tax-free grants of up to $5,000 to make improvements to their homes.
To date, Ms. Sink's office said the MSFH program has given 5,769 homeowners grants totaling more than $19.2 million, with an additional 26,973 homeowners currently working with the program to make improvements. MSFH said it may meet a 35,000 statutory grant goal as early as May 2008 and reports 81 percent good or excellent ratings from participants.
Under the program, residents in single-family, site-built homes are eligible for a free wind inspection performed by a qualified hurricane mitigation inspector.
The program does not extend to mobile and manufactured homes, apartments, condominiums, multifamily dwellings or businesses.
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