Hurricane.
Upgrades.
2026 funding.

Home hardening · Grants and refunds · South Florida

If you have been thinking about impact windows, stronger roof connections or other hurricane upgrades, 2026 is a good year to look into it before starting construction.

Florida currently has programs that can help eligible homeowners offset some of the cost of strengthening their homes.

The important part is knowing what qualifies, and applying before doing the work when the program requires it.

1. My Safe Florida Home Grants Are Available

Florida’s My Safe Florida Home Program is currently accepting applications and offers eligible homeowners free wind-mitigation inspections and hurricane-mitigation grants.

For qualifying homeowners, matching grants provide $2 from the state for every $1 contributed by the homeowner, up to a maximum state contribution of $10,000, subject to program funding.

Eligible low-income homeowners may qualify for up to $10,000 without the matching contribution requirement.

Not every renovation qualifies.

The program currently focuses on four major hurricane-hardening improvements:

• Opening protection , including qualifying impact-resistant windows, doors, garage doors and skylights
• Roof-to-wall connections
• Roof deck attachment
• Secondary water resistance

The improvement generally must first be recommended through the program’s wind-mitigation inspection.

2. Florida Also Has a New Home-Hardening Tax Refund

This is separate from the My Safe Florida Home grant.

Florida created a sales-tax refund for qualifying impact-resistant windows, exterior doors and garage doors purchased for eligible residential properties.

The current program applies to qualifying purchases beginning July 1, 2026, and eligible property owners can receive a refund of sales tax paid, up to $500 per property, subject to the statutory requirements.

This is a refund program, so homeowners should keep:

• Itemized receipts
• Paid invoices
• Proof of payment
• Product information
• Installation documentation

The Florida Department of Revenue administers this program, not My Safe Florida Home.

Can You Potentially Use Both?

Potentially, yes.

The My Safe Florida Home program specifically states that qualifying for its grant does not inherently conflict with also receiving the separate home-hardening sales-tax refund.

That makes impact-resistant openings particularly interesting for eligible homeowners in 2026.

You may be able to improve the home, potentially qualify for mitigation-related insurance benefits, receive grant assistance if eligible, and recover some sales tax.

Each program has its own requirements, so eligibility should be confirmed before relying on those savings.

Don’t Start Construction Too Early

This is probably the most important part.

For a My Safe Florida Home grant, do not complete the mitigation project before receiving grant approval.

The program states that projects completed before grant approval will be denied funding.

The better sequence is:

Check eligibility → Apply → Complete inspection → Review recommended improvements → Receive grant approval → Select contractor → Permit and construct → Final inspection → Submit reimbursement documentation

Starting first and asking about reimbursement later can cost you the grant.

What Homes Qualify?

The requirements differ depending on whether you are applying for an inspection, grant or tax refund.

For My Safe Florida Home, current requirements generally focus on qualifying owner-occupied, homesteaded, site-built homes. Additional requirements apply for grants, including limits involving the home’s age and insured value.

The separate home-hardening tax refund also has its own property and product requirements.

Don’t assume that qualifying for one automatically means you qualify for the other.

Will Hurricane Improvements Lower My Insurance?

They can potentially help, but there is no universal guaranteed savings amount.

Florida insurers recognize specific wind-mitigation characteristics when determining applicable discounts.

These can include features such as:

• Opening protection
• Roof-to-wall connections
• Roof deck attachment
• Secondary water resistance
• Other qualifying construction characteristics

The improvement needs to be properly installed and documented.

That is another reason to think beyond simply buying a product.

Product approval + proper installation + permitting + inspection + documentation all matter.

Which Upgrade Should You Do First?

That depends on the house.

A homeowner with an older roof and weak roof-to-wall connections has different priorities than someone with a newer roof but unprotected windows and doors.

Instead of automatically starting with the most visible upgrade, begin with the wind-mitigation inspection and understand where the home’s actual vulnerabilities are.

Then compare:

Safety + storm protection + available incentives + insurance impact + construction cost

That gives you a much better basis for deciding where to spend money.

Florida homeowners currently have an unusual combination of incentives available for strengthening their homes.

Depending on eligibility, that can include:

Free wind-mitigation inspection + up to $10,000 in hurricane-mitigation grant funding + up to $500 in qualifying home-hardening sales-tax refunds + potential insurance mitigation benefits

But the order matters.

Before signing a construction contract or buying materials, verify the program requirements and make sure the project is being planned in a way that preserves your eligibility.

A good hurricane-hardening project should do more than replace windows or add hardware.

It should leave the home stronger, properly permitted, documented and better prepared for Florida conditions.

How RIDIS Can Help

RIDIS can help South Florida property owners evaluate and coordinate hurricane-resilience improvements, including:

• Impact-resistant openings
• Structural and building-envelope improvements
• Roof-related construction coordination
• Permit requirements
• Engineering coordination when required
• Construction and inspections
• Project documentation and closeout

The goal is to understand the building first, identify the right improvements and execute the work correctly.

Official sources and further reading

• My Safe Florida Home program
• My Safe Florida Home grant eligibility and application
• My Safe Florida Home frequently asked questions
• My Safe Florida Home current funding status
• Florida Department of Financial Services: 2026 property insurance changes
• Florida Department of Revenue forms, including Form DR-26HH

Informational notice

This guide provides general educational information and is not legal, tax, insurance or engineering advice. Program funding, eligibility, deadlines and local permit requirements can change. Confirm current requirements with the administering agencies and qualified Florida professionals before beginning work.