Finance Efforts to Make Homes Resistant to Natural Disasters
Goal: Make Homes More Resistant to Natural Disasters
Policy: Finance Efforts to Make Homes More Resistant to Natural Disasters
Why is it important to finance efforts to make homes more resistant to natural disasters?
In order to incorporate smarter and safer building and renovation methods, develop and enforce new building and zoning codes, implement enhanced land use planning strategies, and develop more cost-effective support programs for low- and moderate-income households, federal, state and local governments and related entities need access to sufficient financial resources. Maintaining and expanding financial resources for pre-disaster mitigation measures will not only save more lives, but it will also reduce the costs of disaster recovery.
What are the financial / economic benefits of financing measures to make homes more resistant to natural disasters?
Research has also shown that money spent upfront on hazard mitigation saves money and resources in the long run. An analysis conducted by the Multihazard Mitigation Council of the National Institute of Building Sciences found that every dollar spent on hazard mitigation saves an average of four dollars in avoided losses in terms of human losses (deaths, injuries, homelessness), direct property damage, reduced cost of emergency response, damage to public and natural resources, and direct/indirect business losses. [1] Other recent studies have provided similar estimates of these cost savings. [2]
[1] Natural Hazard Mitigation Saves: An Independent Study to Assess the Future Savings from Mitigation Activities, Volume 1 -- Findings, Conclusions, and Recommendations. [PDF] 2005. Multihazard Mitigation Council. Washington, DC: National Institute of Building Sciences.
[2] Potential Cost Savings from the Pre-Disaster Mitigation Program. [PDF] 2007. Washington, DC: Congressional Budget Office.
Policy: Finance Efforts to Make Homes More Resistant to Natural Disasters
Why is it important to finance efforts to make homes more resistant to natural disasters?
In order to incorporate smarter and safer building and renovation methods, develop and enforce new building and zoning codes, implement enhanced land use planning strategies, and develop more cost-effective support programs for low- and moderate-income households, federal, state and local governments and related entities need access to sufficient financial resources. Maintaining and expanding financial resources for pre-disaster mitigation measures will not only save more lives, but it will also reduce the costs of disaster recovery.
What are the financial / economic benefits of financing measures to make homes more resistant to natural disasters?
Research has also shown that money spent upfront on hazard mitigation saves money and resources in the long run. An analysis conducted by the Multihazard Mitigation Council of the National Institute of Building Sciences found that every dollar spent on hazard mitigation saves an average of four dollars in avoided losses in terms of human losses (deaths, injuries, homelessness), direct property damage, reduced cost of emergency response, damage to public and natural resources, and direct/indirect business losses. [1] Other recent studies have provided similar estimates of these cost savings. [2]
 Learn more about financing efforts to make homes more resistant to natural disasters. Go back to learn about other policies that make homes more resistant to natural disasters. |
[1] Natural Hazard Mitigation Saves: An Independent Study to Assess the Future Savings from Mitigation Activities, Volume 1 -- Findings, Conclusions, and Recommendations. [PDF] 2005. Multihazard Mitigation Council. Washington, DC: National Institute of Building Sciences.
[2] Potential Cost Savings from the Pre-Disaster Mitigation Program. [PDF] 2007. Washington, DC: Congressional Budget Office.
Goal: Make Homes More Resistant to Natural Disasters
Policy: Finance Efforts to Make Homes More Resistant to Natural Disasters
Why is it particularly important to provide financial support to low- and moderate-income households?
In addition to the community-wide benefits, support for the improved disaster resistance of homes is particularly important for low- and moderate-income families. Given their already tight monthly budgets trying to cover rent or mortgage payments and other basic expenses, disaster-resistant upgrades may not be affordable to these families. Furthermore, it is in the interest of all residents of a neighborhood to make improving disaster resistance affordable since a neighbor without disaster-resistant upgrades can pose a risk in a time of disaster. For example, one neighborhood resident without a properly secured roof increases the risk of flying debris that could damage a neighbor's home.
This section provides an overview of existing federal, state and local financial resources for supporting the enhanced disaster-resistance of homes. It also highlights some potential new resources dedicated to lower income households and other vulnerable populations.
Policy: Finance Efforts to Make Homes More Resistant to Natural Disasters
Why is it particularly important to provide financial support to low- and moderate-income households?
In addition to the community-wide benefits, support for the improved disaster resistance of homes is particularly important for low- and moderate-income families. Given their already tight monthly budgets trying to cover rent or mortgage payments and other basic expenses, disaster-resistant upgrades may not be affordable to these families. Furthermore, it is in the interest of all residents of a neighborhood to make improving disaster resistance affordable since a neighbor without disaster-resistant upgrades can pose a risk in a time of disaster. For example, one neighborhood resident without a properly secured roof increases the risk of flying debris that could damage a neighbor's home.
This section provides an overview of existing federal, state and local financial resources for supporting the enhanced disaster-resistance of homes. It also highlights some potential new resources dedicated to lower income households and other vulnerable populations.
Click on the links below to learn more about financing efforts to make homes more resistant to natural disasters: Federal resources State resourcesClick here to view resources related to financing efforts to make homes more resistant to natural disasters. |
Goal: Make Homes More Resistant to Natural Disasters
Policy: Finance Efforts to Make Homes More Resistant to Natural Disasters
Federal Resources
The main source for disaster mitigation funding at the federal level is the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). FEMA offers three mitigation grant programs to assist states and local communities in implementing hazard mitigation measures. These are the Pre-Disaster Mitigation Program, The Hazard Mitigation Grant Program and the Flood Mitigation Assistance Program.
Congress is also currently considering additional federal programs for funding efforts to make homes more resistant to disasters. These proposed programs are specifically targeted at low- and moderate-income households.
Pre-Disaster Mitigation Grant Program
The Pre-Disaster Mitigation (PDM) Program was authorized under the Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 to provide investments prior to disasters to reduce the vulnerability of communities to future disasters. [1] The program provides funds for hazard mitigation planning and projects that reduce the overall risks to people and buildings. It is mainly focused on hazard mitigation efforts that will reduce the reliance on funding from disaster declarations. PDM grants are awarded on a competitive basis. There are no state allocations, quotas, or other formula-based allocation of funds.
PDM funds can be used to fund a variety of hazard mitigation activities, including: developing state, local, or tribal hazard mitigation plans; constructing certain types of minor and localized flood
control projects to protect critical facilities; retrofitting structures to protect them from floods, high
winds, earthquakes, or other natural hazards; voluntarily acquiring real property for conversion to open space in perpetuity; and constructing safe rooms inside schools or other buildings
in tornado-prone areas. [2] FEMA provides 75 percent of the eligible costs, with PDM grantees covering the remaining 25 percent with non-federal sources, with the exception of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds that have been allocated to the respective state or locality. [3]
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Hazard Mitigation Grant Program
The Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) provides funding specifically after a disaster to implement mitigation measures to help reduce damages to public or private property from future disasters. In most cases, FEMA can offer states up to 15 percent of the total disaster recover grants it has awarded them. FEMA can fund up to 75 percent of the eligible costs of each project. States or local grantees must provide a 25 percent match, which, as with the PDM Program, can come from non-federal sources or CDBG program funds The eligible uses are similar to those under the PDM program.
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Flood Mitigation Assistance Program
Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA) Program provides funds for projects that reduce or eliminate the long-term risk of flood damage to buildings, homes, and other structures that are insured under the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). Similar to the PDM and HMGP, FEMA provides 75 percent of the funding for eligible costs, and the grantee is responsible for the other 25 percent.
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HUD Disaster Recovery Enhancement Fund
HUD has established a $312 million Disaster Recovery Enhancement Fund (DREF) to encourage states to undertake long-term disaster strategies that focus on reducing the risk of damage from future natural disasters. [4] This fund is reserved for states that spend their CDBG funds on specific disaster recovery activities likely to reduce the extent of damage in the future. These projects may include:
Unlike regular CDBG allocations, DREF funds cannot be used as a substitute or match for FEMA HMGP funds. Also, unlike funds provided through HMGP, which can generally be used statewide, DREF funds can only be used in counties officially covered by a disaster declaration in 2008. [5] Despite this potential geographic limitation, these funds provide a valuable source that can, in part, support disaster-resistant home upgrades and improvements for low- and moderate-income households.
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Potential Future Sources of Federal Funding Targeted at Low- and Moderate-Income Households
Although the various disaster mitigation programs offered through FEMA can and have benefited lower income households and vulnerable populations, they are not specifically targeted to these populations. Providing hazard mitigation support for low- and moderate-income households is particularly important because it is these households that have fewer resources and are less likely to upgrade their homes to make them more resistant to natural disasters.
In 2009, Congressman Bennie Thompson of Mississippi introduced two bills that target disaster mitigation funds to low- and moderate-income households. These are (1) The Pre-Disaster Hazard Mitigation Enhancement Program Act of 2009 and (2) The Hazard Mitigation for All Act of 2009.
The Pre-Disaster Hazard Mitigation Enhancement Program Act of 2009. This act would create a competitive grant program to complement the PDM program. Specifically, it would fund states with projects directly supporting low- and moderate-income residents. The majority of these funds would be dedicated to measures protecting against hurricane damages and would serve lower income households living in both single-family and multifamily homes. The program would provide funding preference for those states disaster mitigation plan already in place.
Click here to leave this site and learn more about the above bill.
The Hazard Mitigation for All Act of 2009. This act would create a grant program through the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to provide mitigation support for public housing and HUD-assisted private properties, such as those supported through Section 8 programs. The program would provide grants to local public housing authorities that would be used to finance disaster-resistant retrofits for public and private Section 8 properties, with a proposed 25-percent match required from the respective state. Private properties that receive grant funds would also be required to give preference to public housing and Section 8 residents for a period of five years following receipt of the funds.
Click here to leave this site and learn more about the above bill.
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[1] FEMA's Pre-Disaster Mitigation Program: Overview and Issues. [PDF] 2009. By Francis X. McCarthy and Natalie Keegan. Washington, DC: Congressional Research Office.
[2] In Action -- The Pre-Disaster Mitigation Grant Program. [PDF] 2006. Washington, DC: Federal Emergency Management Agency.
[3] FEMA FY 2010 Hazard Mitigation Assistance Unified Guidance
[4] Department of Housing and Urban Development news release. June 10, 2009.
[5] Notice for Additional Allocations and Waivers Granted to and Alternative Requirements for 2008 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Disaster Recovery Grantees. [PDF] 2008. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Policy: Finance Efforts to Make Homes More Resistant to Natural Disasters
Federal Resources
The main source for disaster mitigation funding at the federal level is the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). FEMA offers three mitigation grant programs to assist states and local communities in implementing hazard mitigation measures. These are the Pre-Disaster Mitigation Program, The Hazard Mitigation Grant Program and the Flood Mitigation Assistance Program.
Congress is also currently considering additional federal programs for funding efforts to make homes more resistant to disasters. These proposed programs are specifically targeted at low- and moderate-income households.
To switch to reading about state programs, click here.
| Click on the links below to learn more about each of these federal financing sources: Pre-Disaster Mitigation Grant Program Hazard Mitigation Grant Program Flood Mitigation Assistance Program HUD Disaster Recovery Enhancement Fund Potential future sources of federal funding targeted at low- and moderate-income households |
Pre-Disaster Mitigation Grant Program
The Pre-Disaster Mitigation (PDM) Program was authorized under the Disaster Mitigation Act of 2000 to provide investments prior to disasters to reduce the vulnerability of communities to future disasters. [1] The program provides funds for hazard mitigation planning and projects that reduce the overall risks to people and buildings. It is mainly focused on hazard mitigation efforts that will reduce the reliance on funding from disaster declarations. PDM grants are awarded on a competitive basis. There are no state allocations, quotas, or other formula-based allocation of funds.
PDM funds can be used to fund a variety of hazard mitigation activities, including: developing state, local, or tribal hazard mitigation plans; constructing certain types of minor and localized flood
control projects to protect critical facilities; retrofitting structures to protect them from floods, high
winds, earthquakes, or other natural hazards; voluntarily acquiring real property for conversion to open space in perpetuity; and constructing safe rooms inside schools or other buildings
in tornado-prone areas. [2] FEMA provides 75 percent of the eligible costs, with PDM grantees covering the remaining 25 percent with non-federal sources, with the exception of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds that have been allocated to the respective state or locality. [3]
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Hazard Mitigation Grant Program
The Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) provides funding specifically after a disaster to implement mitigation measures to help reduce damages to public or private property from future disasters. In most cases, FEMA can offer states up to 15 percent of the total disaster recover grants it has awarded them. FEMA can fund up to 75 percent of the eligible costs of each project. States or local grantees must provide a 25 percent match, which, as with the PDM Program, can come from non-federal sources or CDBG program funds The eligible uses are similar to those under the PDM program.
Back to top
Flood Mitigation Assistance Program
Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA) Program provides funds for projects that reduce or eliminate the long-term risk of flood damage to buildings, homes, and other structures that are insured under the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP). Similar to the PDM and HMGP, FEMA provides 75 percent of the funding for eligible costs, and the grantee is responsible for the other 25 percent.
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HUD Disaster Recovery Enhancement Fund
HUD has established a $312 million Disaster Recovery Enhancement Fund (DREF) to encourage states to undertake long-term disaster strategies that focus on reducing the risk of damage from future natural disasters. [4] This fund is reserved for states that spend their CDBG funds on specific disaster recovery activities likely to reduce the extent of damage in the future. These projects may include:
- Buyout payments for homeowners living in high-risk areas;
- Optional relocation payments to encourage residents to move to safer locations;
- Home improvement grants to reduce damage risks (property elevation, reinforced garage doors and windows, etc.);
- Improving and enforcing building codes; and
- Developing forward-thinking land-use plans that reduce development in high-risk areas.
Unlike regular CDBG allocations, DREF funds cannot be used as a substitute or match for FEMA HMGP funds. Also, unlike funds provided through HMGP, which can generally be used statewide, DREF funds can only be used in counties officially covered by a disaster declaration in 2008. [5] Despite this potential geographic limitation, these funds provide a valuable source that can, in part, support disaster-resistant home upgrades and improvements for low- and moderate-income households.
Back to top
Potential Future Sources of Federal Funding Targeted at Low- and Moderate-Income Households
Although the various disaster mitigation programs offered through FEMA can and have benefited lower income households and vulnerable populations, they are not specifically targeted to these populations. Providing hazard mitigation support for low- and moderate-income households is particularly important because it is these households that have fewer resources and are less likely to upgrade their homes to make them more resistant to natural disasters.
In 2009, Congressman Bennie Thompson of Mississippi introduced two bills that target disaster mitigation funds to low- and moderate-income households. These are (1) The Pre-Disaster Hazard Mitigation Enhancement Program Act of 2009 and (2) The Hazard Mitigation for All Act of 2009.
The Pre-Disaster Hazard Mitigation Enhancement Program Act of 2009. This act would create a competitive grant program to complement the PDM program. Specifically, it would fund states with projects directly supporting low- and moderate-income residents. The majority of these funds would be dedicated to measures protecting against hurricane damages and would serve lower income households living in both single-family and multifamily homes. The program would provide funding preference for those states disaster mitigation plan already in place.
Click here to leave this site and learn more about the above bill.
The Hazard Mitigation for All Act of 2009. This act would create a grant program through the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to provide mitigation support for public housing and HUD-assisted private properties, such as those supported through Section 8 programs. The program would provide grants to local public housing authorities that would be used to finance disaster-resistant retrofits for public and private Section 8 properties, with a proposed 25-percent match required from the respective state. Private properties that receive grant funds would also be required to give preference to public housing and Section 8 residents for a period of five years following receipt of the funds.
Click here to leave this site and learn more about the above bill.
Back to top
| You are currently reading: Federal resources Other pages in this section: State resourcesClick here to view a list of key resources related to financing efforts to make homes more resistant to natural disasters. |
[1] FEMA's Pre-Disaster Mitigation Program: Overview and Issues. [PDF] 2009. By Francis X. McCarthy and Natalie Keegan. Washington, DC: Congressional Research Office.
[2] In Action -- The Pre-Disaster Mitigation Grant Program. [PDF] 2006. Washington, DC: Federal Emergency Management Agency.
[3] FEMA FY 2010 Hazard Mitigation Assistance Unified Guidance
[4] Department of Housing and Urban Development news release. June 10, 2009.
[5] Notice for Additional Allocations and Waivers Granted to and Alternative Requirements for 2008 Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Disaster Recovery Grantees. [PDF] 2008. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Goal: Make Homes More Resistant to Natural Disasters
Policy: Finance Efforts to Make Homes More Resistant to Natural Disasters
State Resources
A number of states have implemented their own disaster mitigation and support programs that provide state funds to support mitigation projects or combine state funds with federal funds. A sample of these state-level programs is provided below.
The My Safe Florida Home program was created in 2006 through a $250 million appropriation by the state. The state established the program within the Department of Financial Services, which was to oversee activities and allocated the funds of the program. The program provided free hurricane mitigation inspections for single-family homes and grants to households to fund mitigation retrofits. The program generally targets low- and moderate-income households, providing grants only to homes with insured values under $300,000.
During the past three years, the program has provided free inspections to more than 400,000 homeowners and has funded retrofits for nearly 33,000 homes. Due to budget constraints, the program expired on June 30, 2009. However, there have been strong lobbying efforts to continue funding the program.
Click here to leave this site and learn more about the My Safe Florida Home program.
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South Carolina
SC Safe Home Program
The South Carolina Hurricane Damage Mitigation Program, also known as the SC Safe Home program, offers grants to residents for making their homes more resistant to the damaging effects of high winds from hurricanes and severe storms. The grant program was established by the Omnibus Insurance Reform Act of 2007. [1]
The SC Safe Home program, operated within the South Carolina Department of Insurance, provides grant dollars to individual homeowners to make their property more resistant to hurricane and wind damage. The program is funded through a percentage of the premiums collected from the state's Wind Pool, which is an association of insurance companies which makes disaster insurance available to homeowners in the coastal area who are not able to buy it through the standard insurance market. [2]
SC Safe Home program funds can be used for the following mitigation improvements / retrofits:
Similar to the My Safe Florida Home Program, the SC Safe Home program provides grants only to homes with insured values under $300,000, likewise providing a preference to low- and moderate-income households. As of February 2010, the program had provided 1,018 grants to homeowners in the state totaling $4.6 million. Homeowners completing mitigation projects funded through the program have reported savings of up to 24 percent in their property insurance premiums.
Click here to leave this site and learn more about the SC Safe Home program.
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[1] SC Safe Home website
[2] SC Wind and Hail Underwriting Association website
Policy: Finance Efforts to Make Homes More Resistant to Natural Disasters
State Resources
A number of states have implemented their own disaster mitigation and support programs that provide state funds to support mitigation projects or combine state funds with federal funds. A sample of these state-level programs is provided below.
To switch to reading about federal programs, click here. To navigate through the examples of state programs that provide financing and incentives for disaster mitigation activities, click on the links in the box to the right or just scroll and read below. Florida My Safe Florida Home Program | Jump to examples in... |
Florida South Carolina |
The My Safe Florida Home program was created in 2006 through a $250 million appropriation by the state. The state established the program within the Department of Financial Services, which was to oversee activities and allocated the funds of the program. The program provided free hurricane mitigation inspections for single-family homes and grants to households to fund mitigation retrofits. The program generally targets low- and moderate-income households, providing grants only to homes with insured values under $300,000.
During the past three years, the program has provided free inspections to more than 400,000 homeowners and has funded retrofits for nearly 33,000 homes. Due to budget constraints, the program expired on June 30, 2009. However, there have been strong lobbying efforts to continue funding the program.
Click here to leave this site and learn more about the My Safe Florida Home program.
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South Carolina
SC Safe Home Program
The South Carolina Hurricane Damage Mitigation Program, also known as the SC Safe Home program, offers grants to residents for making their homes more resistant to the damaging effects of high winds from hurricanes and severe storms. The grant program was established by the Omnibus Insurance Reform Act of 2007. [1]
The SC Safe Home program, operated within the South Carolina Department of Insurance, provides grant dollars to individual homeowners to make their property more resistant to hurricane and wind damage. The program is funded through a percentage of the premiums collected from the state's Wind Pool, which is an association of insurance companies which makes disaster insurance available to homeowners in the coastal area who are not able to buy it through the standard insurance market. [2]
SC Safe Home program funds can be used for the following mitigation improvements / retrofits:
- Roof deck attachment
- Secondary water barrier
- Roof covering
- Bracing gable ends
- Reinforcement of roof-to-wall connections
- Opening protection
- Exterior doors, including garage doors
- Tie downs
- Problems associated with weakened trusses, studs and other structural components
- Repair or replacement of manufactured home piers, anchors and tie-down straps.
Similar to the My Safe Florida Home Program, the SC Safe Home program provides grants only to homes with insured values under $300,000, likewise providing a preference to low- and moderate-income households. As of February 2010, the program had provided 1,018 grants to homeowners in the state totaling $4.6 million. Homeowners completing mitigation projects funded through the program have reported savings of up to 24 percent in their property insurance premiums.
Click here to leave this site and learn more about the SC Safe Home program.
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| You are currently reading: State resources Other pages in this section: Federal resourcesClick here to view a list of key resources related to financing efforts to make homes more resistant to natural disasters. |
[1] SC Safe Home website
[2] SC Wind and Hail Underwriting Association website
Goal: Make Homes More Resistant to Natural Disasters
Policy: Finance Efforts to Make Homes More Resistant to Natural Disasters
Key Resources
The following is a list of key resources on topics related to making homes more resistant to natural disasters. If you're aware of other resources that should be added, please contact us.
Issue Briefs
Making Homes More Resistant to Natural Disasters
This issue brief provides an overview of the measures households, builders and contractors can take to construct, renovate or retrofit homes to make them more resistant to natural disasters. In addition the brief gives an overview of community-level planning strategies and regulatory enhancements that can help protect homes and residents from disasters.
Financing Efforts to Make Homes More Resistant to Natural Disasters
This issue brief describes federal and state programs and resources available for making homes more resistant to natural disasters. There is a particular focus on new programs geared toward financing disaster resistance for multifamily properties and the homes of lower income families.
Linking Efforts to Improve Disaster Resistance and Energy Efficiency of Homes
Measures that promote disaster resistance in homes have close links to those that promote energy efficiency. Therefore, home construction and retrofits serving both purposes can be installed at the same time. This issue brief explores new and potential future funding and incentives programs that enhance both the energy efficiency and disaster resistance of homes.
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Websites
Blueprint for Safety
An educational program mission is to provide residential builders and citizens with accurate, current and reliable information about how to make homes more disaster-resistant.
Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) - Disaster Resources
This site is the landing page for information on HUD's disaster-related programs and resources. It also provides information and links to the programs and resources of its partners related to home disaster resistance for low- and moderate-income families.
Disaster Recovery Working Group
A collaborative chaired by the Secretaries of Homeland Security (DHS) and Housing and Urban Development (HUD), composed of the Secretaries and Administrators of more than 20 departments, agencies and offices. This strategic initiative, initiated by the President, will provide operational guidance for recovery organizations as well as make suggestions for future improvement.
Federal Alliance for Safe for Safe Homes (FLASH)
A non-profit organization dedicated to promoting disaster safety and property loss mitigation. FLASH focuses on safety, property protection and economic well-being by strengthening homes and safeguarding families from natural and manmade disasters.
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
FEMA is the federal government agency in charge of helping communities across the country prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.FEMA works in partnership with other organizations that are part of the nation's emergency management system, including state and local emergency management agencies, 27 federal agencies and the American Red Cross.
Institute for Business and Home Safety
An organization that conducts research and advocates for improved construction, maintenance and preparation practices for hazards affecting homes and businesses. IBHS' website, DisasterSafety.org, is a service to homeowners and small business owners to help disseminate information on reducing property losses and improving safety.
My Safe Florida Home
A program created in 2006 by the state of Florida to provide free hurricane mitigation inspections for single-family homes and grants to households to fund mitigation retrofits. The program generally targets low- and moderate-income households.
SC Safe Home
Formally known as the South Carolina Hurricane Damage Mitigation Program, the program offers grants for state residents to strengthen their homes against the damaging effects of high winds from hurricanes and severe storms. The Program was established by the Omnibus Insurance Reform Act of 2007.
SmarterSafer
A national coalition of consumer advocacy, taxpayer, environmental and insurance industry groups in favor of environmentally responsible, fiscally sound approaches to natural catastrophe policy that promote public safety. The coalition advocates legislation that gives homeowners incentives for, and assistance in, protecting their homes.
WeatherPredict
This organization focuses on modeling atmospheric hazards and vulnerability. WeatherPredict provides intelligence on weather-related catastrophic events to a range of different entities.
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Reports
Potential Cost Savings from the Pre-Disaster Mitigation Program. [PDF] 2007. Washington, DC: Congressional Budget Office.
Building for Disaster Mitigation. January/February 2000. By Christina B. Farnsworth. Home Energy Magazine Online.
In Action -- The Pre-Disaster Mitigation Grant Program. [PDF] 2006. Washington, DC: Federal Emergency Management Agency.
The Benefits of Modern Wind Resistant Building Codes on Hurricane Claim Frequency. [PDF] 2004. Tampa, FL: Institute for Business & Home Safety.
FEMA's Pre-Disaster Mitigation Program: Overview and Issues. [PDF] 2009. By Francis X. McCarthy and Natalie Keegan. Washington, DC: Congressional Research Office.
Natural Hazard Mitigation Saves: An Independent Study to Assess the Future Savings from Mitigation Activities, Volume 1 -- Findings, Conclusions, and Recommendations. [PDF] 2005. Multihazard Mitigation Council. Washington, DC: National Institute of Building Sciences.
Resilient Coasts: A Blueprint for Action. [PDF]. 2009. Washington, DC: The Heinz Center and Boston, MA: Ceres.
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Return to the Finance Efforts to Make Homes More Resistant to Natural Disasters main page.
Policy: Finance Efforts to Make Homes More Resistant to Natural Disasters
Key Resources
The following is a list of key resources on topics related to making homes more resistant to natural disasters. If you're aware of other resources that should be added, please contact us.
Issue Briefs
Making Homes More Resistant to Natural Disasters
This issue brief provides an overview of the measures households, builders and contractors can take to construct, renovate or retrofit homes to make them more resistant to natural disasters. In addition the brief gives an overview of community-level planning strategies and regulatory enhancements that can help protect homes and residents from disasters.
Financing Efforts to Make Homes More Resistant to Natural Disasters
This issue brief describes federal and state programs and resources available for making homes more resistant to natural disasters. There is a particular focus on new programs geared toward financing disaster resistance for multifamily properties and the homes of lower income families.
Linking Efforts to Improve Disaster Resistance and Energy Efficiency of Homes
Measures that promote disaster resistance in homes have close links to those that promote energy efficiency. Therefore, home construction and retrofits serving both purposes can be installed at the same time. This issue brief explores new and potential future funding and incentives programs that enhance both the energy efficiency and disaster resistance of homes.
Back to top
Websites
Blueprint for Safety
An educational program mission is to provide residential builders and citizens with accurate, current and reliable information about how to make homes more disaster-resistant.
Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) - Disaster Resources
This site is the landing page for information on HUD's disaster-related programs and resources. It also provides information and links to the programs and resources of its partners related to home disaster resistance for low- and moderate-income families.
Disaster Recovery Working Group
A collaborative chaired by the Secretaries of Homeland Security (DHS) and Housing and Urban Development (HUD), composed of the Secretaries and Administrators of more than 20 departments, agencies and offices. This strategic initiative, initiated by the President, will provide operational guidance for recovery organizations as well as make suggestions for future improvement.
Federal Alliance for Safe for Safe Homes (FLASH)
A non-profit organization dedicated to promoting disaster safety and property loss mitigation. FLASH focuses on safety, property protection and economic well-being by strengthening homes and safeguarding families from natural and manmade disasters.
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
FEMA is the federal government agency in charge of helping communities across the country prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.FEMA works in partnership with other organizations that are part of the nation's emergency management system, including state and local emergency management agencies, 27 federal agencies and the American Red Cross.
Institute for Business and Home Safety
An organization that conducts research and advocates for improved construction, maintenance and preparation practices for hazards affecting homes and businesses. IBHS' website, DisasterSafety.org, is a service to homeowners and small business owners to help disseminate information on reducing property losses and improving safety.
My Safe Florida Home
A program created in 2006 by the state of Florida to provide free hurricane mitigation inspections for single-family homes and grants to households to fund mitigation retrofits. The program generally targets low- and moderate-income households.
SC Safe Home
Formally known as the South Carolina Hurricane Damage Mitigation Program, the program offers grants for state residents to strengthen their homes against the damaging effects of high winds from hurricanes and severe storms. The Program was established by the Omnibus Insurance Reform Act of 2007.
SmarterSafer
A national coalition of consumer advocacy, taxpayer, environmental and insurance industry groups in favor of environmentally responsible, fiscally sound approaches to natural catastrophe policy that promote public safety. The coalition advocates legislation that gives homeowners incentives for, and assistance in, protecting their homes.
WeatherPredict
This organization focuses on modeling atmospheric hazards and vulnerability. WeatherPredict provides intelligence on weather-related catastrophic events to a range of different entities.
Back to top
Reports
Potential Cost Savings from the Pre-Disaster Mitigation Program. [PDF] 2007. Washington, DC: Congressional Budget Office.
Building for Disaster Mitigation. January/February 2000. By Christina B. Farnsworth. Home Energy Magazine Online.
In Action -- The Pre-Disaster Mitigation Grant Program. [PDF] 2006. Washington, DC: Federal Emergency Management Agency.
The Benefits of Modern Wind Resistant Building Codes on Hurricane Claim Frequency. [PDF] 2004. Tampa, FL: Institute for Business & Home Safety.
FEMA's Pre-Disaster Mitigation Program: Overview and Issues. [PDF] 2009. By Francis X. McCarthy and Natalie Keegan. Washington, DC: Congressional Research Office.
Natural Hazard Mitigation Saves: An Independent Study to Assess the Future Savings from Mitigation Activities, Volume 1 -- Findings, Conclusions, and Recommendations. [PDF] 2005. Multihazard Mitigation Council. Washington, DC: National Institute of Building Sciences.
Resilient Coasts: A Blueprint for Action. [PDF]. 2009. Washington, DC: The Heinz Center and Boston, MA: Ceres.
Back to top
Return to the Finance Efforts to Make Homes More Resistant to Natural Disasters main page.