Florida’s coastline is no stranger to hurricanes, and their destruction underscores the need for proactive measures.
Recognizing this, the Florida Department of Financial Services (DFS) has launched the My Safe Florida Condo pilot program, led by Chief Financial Officer Jimmy Patronis.
Designed to help condominium associations fortify their buildings against hurricanes, this initiative offers free inspections and matching grants for wind mitigation improvements. Not only does the program enhance property safety, but it also offers the potential to lower wind insurance premiums.
A Program Designed to Protect
Building on the success of the My Safe Florida Home program, this condo-focused initiative targets eligible associations within 15 miles of the coastline.
It goes beyond hurricane mitigation—it’s a commitment to creating safer, more resilient communities. By equipping condo associations with the resources needed to fortify their properties, the program delivers tangible benefits to residents while fostering a stronger, more prepared Florida.
Participants receive a free inspection to assess their properties’ hurricane-resistant features and identify necessary improvements. Areas of focus include:
- Reinforcing exterior openings, such as doors, windows, and skylights.
- Strengthening roof-to-wall connections and roof deck attachments.
- Adding secondary water resistance to roofs to prevent leaks.
Eligible associations can apply for matching grants of up to $175,000 to implement these upgrades, with the program contributing $2 for every $1 invested by the association.
These improvements protect residents and reduce the future costs of hurricane recovery.
Building Safer Communities
Strengthening condos doesn’t just protect individual buildings—it creates ripple effects throughout the community. Hurricane-resistant properties minimize damage, resulting in fewer displaced residents and quicker recovery times. By reducing strain on emergency services and lowering overall recovery costs, programs like My Safe Florida Condo enhance community resilience.
As CFO Jimmy Patronis said in a State-issued press release, “Nothing is more important than investing in the safety and security of Floridians, especially when it comes to hurricanes. This pilot program is a first step to helping Florida’s condo community in the same ways that we have been able to help tens of thousands of homeowners.”
Early Success
Launched in November 2024 with $30 million in funding from the Florida Legislature, the My Safe Florida Condo program has already seen strong engagement:
- Over 750 accounts were registered in the first week.
- Within the first few days of the launch, 174 inspection applications were submitted, meeting the ceiling authorized by legislation for the pilot program.
- The program website recorded over 11,000 visits on launch day.
Demand was so high that the application portal closed within five days when the program reached its estimated funding capacity for grant obligations.
These early results highlight the importance of hurricane preparedness and the widespread need for this initiative.
Tidal Basin Supports Resilience
As DFS’ trusted partner, Tidal Basin is playing a critical role in supporting the My Safe Florida Condo program. Our contributions include:
- Providing holistic program design, delivery and management as well as grant management.
- Developing and managing the application intake system using our proprietary Phoenix OneCase grant and case management solution.
- Designing data dashboards for client executive briefings in addition to real-time tracking and reporting.
- Overseeing grant management to ensure fiscal accountability.
- Providing inspection reconciliation and wind certification oversight.
- Delivering strategic marketing solutions, including program branding and website development.
- Offering contact center support to address participant inquiries.
“At Tidal Basin, we believe in empowering communities to become more resilient,” said Chris Mewes, Program Manager for the My Safe Florida Condo project.
“The My Safe Florida Condo program is a testament to how strategic partnerships and proactive measures can make a meaningful difference for communities in high-impact areas.”
Looking to the Future
The early success of this pilot program paves the way for broader implementation. If scaled statewide, My Safe Florida Condo could offer enhanced hurricane preparedness for countless condominium associations across Florida. With continued support and lessons learned from this pilot phase, the program has the potential to become a cornerstone of Florida’s disaster resilience strategy.
As Patronis noted in the press release, “Ultimately, what we learn from My Safe Florida Condo will help determine the future of the program going forward.”
Reach out for more information or to learn how Tidal Basin can help your community prepare for, respond to, recover from, and mitigate risks from disasters.
