FL State Hurricane help

[MomH]

Tampa's channel 8 just had a news story which said that of the 65, 000 people applying for state hurricane help in FL only 14,000 have been inspected. Of those 14,000 only 43 people have received any funds. Can one say "Break down in the system, again?"

[Alladin]

IMO it demonstrates that the state is doing its job and abiding by the law. The Florida Hazard Mitigation Grant Program has strict eligibility standards and only a small number of citizens should fall within the requirements set by law. We don’t want this program to be a feeding trough for “hurricane contractors”.

The program is designed to help low and middle income people and limit the amount of state and federal emergency aid handed out in the next disaster.

[flightwxman]

Well, wouldnt you have to be approved before being inspected? Because if so, then this would show the state is working extremely slow...

On the flip side, If you must be inspected before getting approved, then Alladin is correct, the state is doing a good job at determining who deserves what...

But then you have the middle, where they are being very strict on who they approve, yet it is taking wayyy too long for the state to complete this necessary and time sensitive project...

[Alladin]

Well, wouldnt you have to be approved before being inspected? Because if so, then this would show the state is working extremely slow...

On the flip side, If you must be inspected before getting approved, then Alladin is correct, the state is doing a good job at determining who deserves what...

But then you have the middle, where they are being very strict on who they approve, yet it is taking wayyy too long for the state to complete this necessary and time sensitive project...

MESSAGE FROM ALEX SINK, FEBRUARY 22, 2007

The My Safe Florida Home program helps Floridians identify how they can strengthen their homes and reduces the overall potential for hurricane damage in our state. To achieve this goal, the My Safe Florida Home program offers eligible homeowners a free home inspection by trained and qualified hurricane mitigation inspectors. Homeowners who have received these inspections also have the opportunity to apply for a matching grant of up to $5,000 to make recommended improvements.

A limited number of inspections in specific counties were offered during the 2006 pilot phase of the program. Inspection reports and matching grant applications are currently being mailed to the nearly 14,000 homeowners who have already received a free home inspection.

We have added a feature to our website – an online search tool for finding an approved contractor for retrofit improvements. Using this tool, you can search for participating contractors by name, county, or retrofit improvement that they are licensed and qualified to perform. So far, nearly 300 contractors from around the state have been approved to participate in the program.

Inspections will be winding down temporarily so that we may evaluate the program to ensure that your tax dollars are being spent wisely. Our goal is to expand this program statewide, and we will be releasing a bid for wind certification entities that can oversee the inspections process. We anticipate that we will have those partners in place and to be ready to resume the program in spring of 2007.

If you are interested in learning about how you can harden your home now, please click on the “Other Resources” tab to your left. There, you can learn what improvements you can make to help your home better withstand hurricane damage.

Thank you for visiting our website. We look forward to serving you.

http://www.mysafefloridahome.com/Aboutt ... ePrint.htm

[flightwxman]

Ok, so you have to be "eligible" in order to be inspected. According to the article though, once you're eligible to be inspected, you're also eligible for the grant. Those inspected, the 14,000, are being sent applications for the grant. So, perhaps, the 43 people that recieved funds are the only people to submit their applications...

And I'm under the impression that you do the work yourself and then you get reimbursed up to $5000. If thats so, then 43 sounds about right for the amount of people that have actually hurricane proofed their home and submited the grant application and have been able to recieve their funds.

Sounds to me like the homeowners are the ones taking long, not the government...

[Betrock]

Actually, to be eligible for a free inspection: (quoted from MSFH website)

The home to be inspected must be a site-built home, which is built at its permanent and final location.

The home to be inspected must be a single-family detached dwelling, which sits on its own lot and is not physically attached to any other home, or the home to be inspected must be a unit in a residential building of up to four units. NOTE: All unit owners in a residential building must agree to participate in the program to be eligible for free inspections.
*****************
(not quoting....)
The inspection covers 7 areas of vulnerability to damage. Based on the results of the inspection (by certified inspectors) the HomeOwner is given a report by the State that outlines what, if any, qualified improvements can be made to their home. They then have the option to contact one of the state approved contractors, have the work done, pay for it, and be reimbursed by the state for up to half the amount (not to exceed $5000). Before reimbursement, there is a 2nd inspection to determine that the work was done. The Home Owner will also qualify for discounts of varying amounts with their insurance companies.

The original phase was a Pilot Program that got a HUGE response! The pilot program was completed and stopped (approx 14,000 inspections). The state recently approved several wind mitigation firms around the state to handle the inspections, and the program - regular phase - is now commencing.

There is a "low income" aspect to the program where some people may get help with the actual repairs if they qualify.

The inspection is free to Home Owners, but the state pays $150 per inspection. Homeowners who don't wish to wait for a free inspection - earliest would be August - may request an inspection and pay $150 for it.