Recent Florida legislation (HB1029 and SB1366) established the My Safe Florida Condominium Pilot Program designed to enhance the resilience of condominiums against hurricanes.

Effective on July 1^st, 2024, the program provides licensed inspectors, grants, and guidelines for hurricane mitigation projects funded by $30 million in state funds.

This initiative is an extension of the My Safe Florida Home program (https://mysafeflhome.com/), aimed at assisting eligible condo associations with structural improvements to withstand hurricane damage while also reducing insurance premiums.

The state would spend $2 for every $1 spent by the condominium association. The program would also cover up to half the cost of roof-related projects and up to $1,500 per unit for doors and windows. However, there is a maximum grant of $175,000 available for each condo association.

Below is a summary of the new program including participation guidelines, grant funding, inspections, contractors, and more.

Participating in the My Safe Florida Condominium Pilot Program

“In order to apply for an inspection…or a grant…for association property or condominium property, an association must receive approval by a majority vote of the board of administration or a majority vote of the total voting interests of the association to participate in the pilot program.”

“In order to apply for a grant…which improves one or more units within a condominium, an association must receive both of the following:

• …Approval by a majority vote of the board of administration or a majority vote of the total voting interests of the association to participate in a mitigation inspection.
• A unanimous vote of all unit owners within the structure or building that is the subject of the mitigation grant.
• A unit owner may participate in the pilot program through a mitigation grant awarded to the association but may not participate individually in the pilot program.
• The votes required…may take place at the annual budget meeting of the association or at a unit owner meeting called for the purpose of taking such vote. Before a vote of the unit owners may be taken, the association must provide to the unit owners a clear disclosure of the pilot program on a form created by the department. The president and the treasurer of the board of administration must sign the disclosure form indicating that a copy of the form was provided to each unit owner of the association. The signed disclosure form and the minutes from the meeting at which the unit owners voted to participate in the pilot program must be maintained as part of the official records of the association. Within 14 days after an affirmative vote to participate in the pilot program, the association must provide written notice in the same manner…to all unit owners of the decision to participate in the pilot program…”

Grant funding in the My Safe Florida Condominium Pilot Program

“Grant projects shall be funded as follows:

• …All grants must be matched on the basis of $1 provided 236 by the association for $2 provided by the state.
• For roof-related projects, the grant contribution is $11 per square foot multiplied by the square footage of the replacement roof, not to exceed $1,000 per unit, with a maximum grant award of 50 percent of the cost of the project.
• For opening protection-related projects, the grant contribution is a maximum of $750 per replacement window or door, not to exceed $1,500 per unit, with a maximum grant award of 50 percent of the cost of the project.
• An association may receive grant funds for both roof related and opening protection-related projects, but the maximum total grant award may not exceed $175,000 per association…”

“Implementation of this pilot program is subject to annual legislative appropriations” and provides grants to eligible condominium associations “as funding allows.”

Inspections and contractors in the My Safe Florida Condominium Pilot Program

“When recommended by a hurricane mitigation inspection report, grants for eligible associations may be used for the following improvements:

• …Opening protection, including exterior doors, garage doors, windows, and skylights.
• Reinforcing roof-to-wall connections.
• Improving the strength of roof-deck attachments.
• Secondary water resistance for roof….”

Additionally, Florida’s Department of Financial Services:

“…may contract with third parties for grants management, inspection services, contractor services, information technology, educational outreach, and auditing services.”

“…shall implement a quality assurance and reinspection program that determines whether initial inspections and mitigation improvements are completed in a manner consistent with the intent of the pilot program.”

You can read about HB 1029 here: https://www.myfloridahouse.gov/Sections/Bills/billsdetail.aspx?BillId=79677&SessionId=103

You can read about SB 1366 here: https://www.flsenate.gov/Session/Bill/2024/1366

Legal Resource

If you are Florida condominium board member, property manager, or community association leader with questions about these recent legislative updates, do not hesitate to contact our law firm.

Please call 855-537-0500 or visit www.ksnlaw.com.

Since 1983, KSN has been a legal resource for condominium, homeowner, and townhome associations. Additionally, we represent clients in real estate transactions, collections, landlord/tenant issues, and property tax appeals. We represent thousands of clients and community associations throughout the US with offices in several states including Florida, Illinois, Indiana, and Wisconsin.

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