Windstorm Mitigation Study Committee publishes final report
 

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. – March 7, 2007 – The Windstorm Mitigation Study Committee published its final report on the first day of the 2007 legislative session, analyzing mitigation efforts in Florida, including the My Safe Florida Home program, and detailing its recommendations for hardening homes in Florida.

Specifically, the committee cited three reasons for the importance of mitigation in the state: One: Mitigation helps reduce property losses from catastrophic storms. Two: Homeowners are less likely to be charged assessments for catastrophic damage if losses are minimized. And three: Hardened homes and businesses are eligible for savings on their wind insurance premiums.

The committee’s recommendations fell into several categories, including: improving the My Safe Florida Home program; considering new approaches to advance mitigation; implementing insurance and construction reforms to encourage “code-plus” development; providing incentives to encourage home-hardening efforts by homeowners; identifying potential funding; educating and engaging the public about the importance of mitigation; and supporting research.

The 62-page report covers topics in depth, and many recommendations set lofty goals. For example, the report recommends that the My Safe Florida Home program, currently on hiatus, attempt to inspect 350,000 homes in all areas of the state – about 10 percent of all homes covered by a homestead exemption – and provide grants to about 35,000 homeowners, notably those with lower incomes.

The final report can be found at  http://www.WindstormMitigationStudyCommittee.org.

Floridians can learn more about the My Safe Florida Home program and how they can harden their homes by visiting http://www.MySafeFloridaHome.com.

The committee was created as a result of House Bill 1A, passed by the Florida Legislature during the January special session. The committee was charged with analyzing short- and long-term solutions and programs that address the need to immediately and effectively harden homes in Florida. Copies of the report were delivered Tuesday to the governor, chief financial officer, Florida Senate president, speaker of the Florida House and insurance commissioner.
 

© 2007 FLORIDA ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®