Article
Courtesy of Local 10 News
By
Ryan Mackey
Published April 27, 2024
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WATCH VIDEO |
PINELLAS COUNTY – Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis held a press conference in
Redington Shores Wednesday morning.
DeSantis signed
Senate Bill 7028 which will allocate $200
million to the My Florida Safe Home Program, which offers
matching grants of up to $10,000 to households that enhance
their homes with hurricane-safe doors and windows or replace
their roofs.
DeSantis claims these enhancements will lower insurance
premiums and the bill will also prioritize seniors who are
on the waiting list for needed upgrades to their homes.
Those changes include allowing applicants under the program
to still receive inspections even if they’re not eligible
for a mitigation grant.
The bill also would make additional changes by establishing
new or updated requirements for homeowners under the
program. |
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Additionally, DeSantis announced his commitment to
signing $50 million to support beach nourishment projects.
“Florida’s coastlines are its first defense against a storm and ensuring
that the state’s beaches are strong is important to protect our coastal
infrastructure. With this investment, Florida will have invested over $550
million in dedicated funds to beach nourishment since 2019,” a news release
from the governor’s office stated.
DeSantis also signed House Bill 1029 which will aim to create a similar
pilot program for condo associations to apply for mitigation grants called
the “My Safe Florida Condominium Pilot Program.”
“Strong infrastructure is the best way to protect against the impacts of a
future hurricane,” he said. “We are making investments that strengthen our
state, help homeowners strengthen their homes, and increase our coastal
protection against a storm.”
The 2006 My Safe Florida Home “initiative entails mitigation inspections for
single-family residences and offers grants to assist vulnerable households
in fortifying their homes against hurricanes,” according to DeSantis.
He was joined by Florida Department of Environmental Protection Secretary
Shawn Hamilton, who voiced his support for Florida’s Governor.
“Governor DeSantis has consistently fought to make Florida’s communities
more resilient and secured more funding than any governor before him,” said
Hamilton. “As a result of these efforts, Florida is better positioned than
ever to address the state’s resilience challenges.”
Should both bills be approved, they would become effective on July 1.
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