Politics
Bill revising eligibility for state condo-hardening grant program advances to Senate floor
‘(With) what scarce resources we have allocated to that program, this bill seeks to revise the eligibility to make sure that it’s going to those most in need.’
Legislation to make sure state funds meant for condo-hardening projects go to the unit owners who most need them is bound for a Senate floor vote after advancing through its final Committee stop.
As it had at two prior panels, the bill (SB 1706) won unanimous support.
Its sponsor, Hollywood independent Democratic Sen. Jason Pizzo, described the rollout of the My Safe Florida Condominium Pilot Program — an offshoot of a larger home-hardening initiative — as faulty and ineffective.
It launched in 2024 with a $30 million appropriation as a way to provide free hurricane mitigation inspections and matching grants to eligible condo associations.
Fast forward about a year and a half, and about $10 million of those funds have been used, 30% of which covered administrative costs, members of the Senate Appropriations Committee said Wednesday before approving the bill.
“(With) what scarce resources we have allocated to that program, this bill seeks to revise the eligibility to make sure that it’s going to those most in need,” Pizzo said.
To that end, SB 1706 would expand eligibility statewide but narrow participation to older condo buildings where at least 80% of units are owned and occupied by households earning no more than 80% of the area median income.
It would require the Department of Financial Services to verify household income, permit periodic recertification and mandate income documentation with grant applications.
The bill would also limit grants by requiring associations to complete 100% of recommended upgrades that strengthen doors and windows to wind and debris to qualify for mitigation credits or insurance discounts.
Pizzo amended the item Wednesday to allow grant funds to also cover water intrusion mitigation devices for wind-driven rain. While most insurance companies still exclude coverage for damage caused by rain-driven water intrusion, he said, “that doesn’t mean it’s not good practice to include mitigation devices and products that do.”
The bill’s House version (HB 1497) by Parkland Democratic Rep. Christine Hunschofsky has two more Committee stops before reaching a floor vote.