FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
How does a homeowner contact REBUILD to see if they are eligible for the program?
Call (850)497-7024 or apply online.
What residential structures are not eligible for the program?
Mobile homes or manufactured homes, apartments, duplexes, condos, or town homes (any multi-unit structures) are not eligible for the program.
Has the eligibility for the program changed since its inception?
There are no longer income criteria to participate in the program. FEMA will provide 75% of the cost and the homeowner must provide or secure through REBUILD a 25% cash match.
Are properties inspected and reviewed after the initial eligibility is determined?
Yes, a comprehensive inspection of the home is completed. The results of the inspection are sent to a wind certified engineer and FEMA for review and approval. The engineer certifies that the recommended mitigation work will increase the homes wind resistance rating and FEMA will verify that the project is cost effective and provide final project approval.
In addition, projects on homes that are over 45 years old must be reviewed and approved by the State Historic Preservation Office.
What type of shutters does your program use?
Temporary galvanized steel panel shutters. On extremely rare occasions a disabled homeowner who has no local family/friends/church support to assist him/her with the temporary shutter system installation, he/she can request a special medical case review for consideration of using a permanent or alternative shutter system.
Are there any other limits on products that you use?
To be cost effective, REBUILD uses standard products on all the homes. Homeowners have limited choices regarding the products used. Homeowners are required to watch a program review that will detail the products to be used, what will be done to their home, and the construction process before signing their agreement to proceed with the project.
Is there any mitigation work that your program limits?
REBUILD does not re-roof or replace windows in homes but if the homeowner is re-roofing or replacing windows, the grant can pay for the cost of upgrading job specifications to use impact and pressure-rated/approved materials and retrofit techniques that are above current Building Code Requirements.
When I tried to apply I was told my home was not on the list of qualified homes, what does this mean and where else might I be able to get help with my home?
When REBUILD applied for funding we were required to provide a list identifying properties that were potentially eligible for the grant funding. This list was compiled by our office using certain geographic restrictions, for example, flood zones and surge zones were excluded from the list. Unfortunately if your address did not appear on the list that was submitted with our grant application we are unable to help you in the inspection and mitigation of your home at this time. REBUILD does, however, keep your name and address on file so that if there are any changes in our funding, we can contact you and process your request for an application without delay. For assistance elsewhere, you can apply with the My Safe Florida Home Program at www.mysafefloridahome.com or by phone at 1-866-513-6734 for a free home inspection and grant.
When I tried to apply I was told there is now a waiting list, and that I could be put on that. What does this mean?
We have experienced such a high volume of calls and request for this assistance that we had to implement a waiting list. We will apply our assistance program on a “first come – first served” basis and have placed your application in the cue as of the date you applied. Please do not be discouraged. Although we cannot guarantee the availability of funding, at this time we are very optimistic in regards to our ability to assist you with your home hardening measures. Once we have had the opportunity to review and reconcile our lists and applications we will contact you to schedule an appointment and/or inform you on the next step in the process.
Why does it take so long after the inspection to actually get the work done on my home? Our Mtigation program is funded primarily through a FEMA Mitigation grant. Because we are using Federal funding we are required to send all of our individual mitigation projects (each house) through the FEMA Environmental and Historic Review process. As you can imagine the process is lengthy. We have been making an ongoing effort to speed up this process, however we are still bound by the rules and regulations that have been placed on our funding and must abide by these federal requirements. We cannot begin construction until all of these reviews have been completed and we get a written ok from our funders that we can begin construction.
