TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – Governor Ron DeSantis called on Florida lawmakers to approve additional hurricane relief for homeowners and to work on reforms for the state’s condominium market.
During a Monday news conference from the Florida Capitol, DeSantis said he hopes the legislature can approve grants to help homeowners rebuild and prepare for the next hurricane season, pointing out that many were approved for the My Safe Florida Program but have not been able to get the relief since the funding ran out.
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DeSantis said giving homeowners, who have already been approved, that relief is imperative as many are still recovering from the devastating impacts of Hurricane Helene and Milton.
“What we would want is anybody in these hurricane-affected areas who had damage to their home, who are approved for My Safe Florida Home, but there’s not enough money, let’s get them the grants so that helps when they’re rebuilding it and they need to rebuild. Anyways, they’re approved for the program. This will help keep them, hopefully in better shape for the next hurricane season,” DeSantis said.
The My Safe Florida Home program matches grants of up to $10,000 for repairs to help homes better withstand hurricanes.
RELATED | Florida provides millions to help residents prepare their homes for hurricane season
“Why not provide them that grant so they can build back in a way that’s going to be more resilient in the future, given that they’re in those areas? So we’re putting that in the call. And look, if you’re not going to do any more relief, if the legislature doesn’t want to do that, that’s one thing. But if you’re going to do it, why wait for the money to be available July 1? Why not just get it out the door this month so that people can get the relief they need?” DeSantis said.
Press play below to watch the full news conference
DeSantis also called for the legislature to work on reforms for the state’s condominium market, which has seen rising prices following a safety law passed by state lawmakers in 2022 in the wake of the Surfside condominium building collapse, which killed 98 people in June 2021.
MORE | One year later: Surfside collapse spurs law change but safety experts remain concerned
“We’re now seeing, some problems that I think were unintended, that have popped up, and we have a responsibility to act to make sure that people can stay in their condo units. The legislature should not be doing anything that’s going to cause someone to have to flee because of an artificial mandate,” DeSantis said.
During Monday’s news conference, DeSantis also called for the legislature to add new duties and funding to help enforce President-elect Donald Trump’s immigration policies that are expected to go into effect on day one of his presidency.
The governor also said he wants legislators to overhaul Florida’s citizen ballot initiative process for proposing constitutional amendments, after alleging fraud in the petition drive that got a measure on the 2024 ballot that would have expanded abortion rights.
The special session was scheduled for the week of Jan. 27, the week after President-elect Donald Trump is sworn in.
To learn more about the My Safe Florida Home program visit this website.