BUSHNELL, Fla. – The first hurricane of the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season is here, and with the height of the season getting closer, News 6 is taking a closer look at one of Florida’s most popular programs designed to help people harden their homes.
The portal for the My Safe Florida Home program reopened just two weeks ago. There’s more than $300 million available in funding, enough to help more than 30,000 people. The amount of money is limited with so many homeowners across the state who need help.
[VIDEO: What does My Safe Florida Home program provide?]
Eldridge Mack, who lives in Bushnell, first reached out to News 6 last year when he applied for a grant. He was approved for $10,000 — the maximum amount for low-income homeowners who meet all of the requirements.
But, when we followed up with Mack this summer, he said nearly a year had gone by and he still hadn’t had his roof replaced.
“I have 13 estimates for a new roof, which have yet to get done,” Mack told News 6 reporter Catherine Silver in June. “No one wants to do the work and wait 30 days after the state of Florida does the initial final inspection, then issue the funds.”
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Mack had run into the same problem as so many struggling homeowners. You submit paperwork, you wait, and you try to find a contractor who will do the work without money to put down.
This week, Mack reached back out to News 6 and said his story finally came full circle.
“The day after you did an interview, I got a call,” Mack said.
A company called ProfileGorilla had reached out to Mack. Our News 6 team spoke with CEO Ed Baldwin on Friday.
“Our internal team actually saw the article, the original article that you guys wrote where Mr. Mack kind of articulated that he had, you know, reached out to 13 contractors and wasn’t having a lot of success,” CEO Ed Baldwin said. “And I think in parallel to that, the team at “My Safe” had reached out to us as well and knew he was having challenges and said, ‘Hey, is there anything you guys can do to kind of help?’”
Baldwin explained how his company serves as a middleman to help ensure contractors are properly vetted before they go to someone’s home.
“We do a lot of support for the insurance industry and homeowners, just ensuring that the contractors that they want to use are licensed, insured, have undergone background checks, have good reviews, and are reputable,” said Baldwin.
ProfileGorilla was able to connect Mack with R.I.G Roofing, a company that Baldwin says went “above and beyond” to help.
“That same day, I was actually on the road in Winter Haven and headed out to Bushnell,” said Gary Solano, director of vendor relations with R.I.G. Roofing. “I just reached out to the owner, Mr. Curtis, at R.I.G., and I said, ‘Hey, here’s a story. How do you feel, you know, extending some generosity to Mr. Mack?’ and he immediately said, ‘Of course, Gary.’
Mack had found a contractor who was willing to do the work, but there was another problem. The estimate for a new roof was more than the $10,000 grant would pay for.
“Mr. Mack’s like, ‘Oh, I’m so sorry, Gary. You know, I really have no money to put into this.’ And I’m like, ‘You know, what? Let me see what I can do,” said Solano. “Reached out to the owner again, and he’s like, ‘You know what, Gary? We can take that money off, and let’s do it for no money out of pocket.’”
Solano said since R.I.G. is used to working through the My Safe Florida Home program, they often see homeowners who need other options.
“Prices right now of certain construction materials are getting high. So, a roof that might have cost, you know, $8,000 10 years ago, you know, it’s very likely at $16,000 today,” said Solano. “So, bridging that gap right there of money is very difficult for homeowners. You know, what My Safe Florida does is try to find a lot of contractors who offer financing to help bridge that gap as well.”
Solano said Mack’s story just resonated with the company.
“He was just telling me everything he was going through, from cancer to all these doctors’ appointments he was having to go through, and all the contractors he’s been trying to speak with and get this deal set up,” said Solano. “And so, hearing his story about how he was battling cancer, and you know, going through a low point in his life, and needing a new roof and not being able to afford it, but actually having this money sitting there waiting for the state to contribute once the roof’s done. I’m like, he’s almost there. He’s at the edge of it.”
Friday, our News 6 drove to Bushnell to see Mack’s finished roof. The company upgraded to architectural shingles that Solano says are more wind-resistant and will help regulate the temperature inside the house.
“And then it also, as far as discounts for your insurance company, it gives you a lot better discounts with that as well,” said Solano. "
Mack said he’s just so thankful.
“You know, I get a little emotional, you know, I didn’t know that there are honest, good people out there,” said Mack. “It seemed like every time I reached out to you guys, something got moving. So, I have a lot to be thankful for because of Channel 6.”
Now, Mack is just waiting for a reimbursement after a final inspection. He showed us his account on the My Safe Florida Home portal that he checks every day.
Both Solano and Baldwin tell News 6 they’ve already been alerted about an influx of people hoping to receive grants this year.
“This year’s program is largely on what we call the ‘initial inspection phase,’” said Baldwin. “So, for all the folks that are applying for grants now, they’re getting scheduled for the inspectors to come out and do an inspection on their home, see what condition of their home is, kind of what they qualify for, give them all the information that they need to make a decision right now on what they want to do next.”
Baldwin encouraged any homeowners in a similar situation as Mack to visit ProfileGorilla’s website.