We know storms can make trees build deeper roots. That’s not typically the case when it comes to a home. Severe storms and hurricanes can take a toll on a structure over time.
While proven time and again during hurricane seasons past, we saw it once more when hurricanes Helene and Milton hit Florida this year and left older homes constructed at sea level with the most damage. It’s been reported the storms have produced more than 300,000 claims, mostly residential, totaling more than $5 billion.
Just recently, Florida state Sen. Blaise Ingoglia, R-Spring Hill, began shopping around a home-hardening idea using a property tax break to incentivize homeowners to make their houses more storm resilient. Under his plan, local property taxes would be frozen for a period ranging from 15 to 20 years for homeowners who make qualified upgrades, which include elevating homes to meet newer building codes.
Ingoglia’s tax relief proposal is currently under consideration by legislative colleagues and stakeholders but it’s a definite “no” from me, and here’s why.
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