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Senators question condo pilot rollout after department approves dozens of inspections for $30 million pilot
Summary
Committee members raised concerns that the $30 million condo pilot program requires unanimous owner consent for assisted repairs, while the Department of Financial Services said it had approved 65 buildings for inspection and is awaiting full owner votes before grant awards.
Senators at the Banking and Insurance Committee pressed DFS and My Safe Florida Home staff about the state’s $30 million condominium pilot program, which funds wind-hardening work at condominium buildings. Committee members said they were concerned the program’s unanimous-owner requirement for grant awards may limit uptake despite the department approving dozens of initial inspections.
Steven Fielder, MSFH program director, said the department had approved around 65 buildings for inspections (the count cited in committee questions) and that inspections are ongoing. He also confirmed that the grant application process requires unanimous owner consent within a building for the grant to be applied to that building’s common elements: “It requires unanimous consent from everyone within the building that is the subject of the grant,” he said.
Why it matters: Several senators warned that requiring unanimous consent for a building‑level grant may make use of the limited $30 million pilot unlikely in many large associations. One senator noted there are roughly 27,000 condominium associations and questioned the pilot’s reach if inspections are conducted where there is no guarantee the association will reach the required consent threshold.
Key details and clarifications - Inspections vs. grants: Fielder explained two steps: (1) inspections approved by MSFH, and (2) a separate grant application process that requires the association’s voting approval. He said the department had moved forward with inspections (about 65 approved for inspection) but that grant awards depend on unanimous owner approval as directed by the statute. - Pilot law: Senators referenced the implementing law (HB 1029, 2024 session) and told the department they would follow up on statutory language and potential changes; DFS said it will continue administering inspections and working through applications.
Discussion and next steps Committee members said they will follow up with department staff about program design and statutory constraints; DFS staff said they are holding inspections and will process grants only when applications meet statutory requirements.
Ending DFS said it will brief legislators further on inspection results and any statutory limitations that affect whether the $30 million will be used widely across condominium associations.
