$10,000 grant to stormproof your home won’t be ‘first-come, first-serve’ anymore

Looks like the free money party is over for many Florida households.

The popular My Safe Florida Home program is expected to resume taking applications on July 1, but many homeowners might find it more difficult to secure grants of up to $10,000 for such improvements as hardening windows and doors and replacing roofs to improve water and uplift resistance.

Following a year of awarding nearly $400 million on a “first-come, first-serve” basis, this year’s version of the program will only allow low- and moderate-income households to apply for 60 days after July 1 if bills seeking $100 million in new funds are enacted before the legislative session ends next month.

That’s OK with Florida residents who say low- and moderate-income residents need help the most.