Link Efforts to Improve Disaster Resistance and Energy Efficiency
 
Goal: Make Homes More Resistant to Natural Disasters
Policy: Link Efforts to Improve Disaster Resistance and Energy Efficiency



How are home features that provide disaster resistance and those that provide energy efficiency related?

Measures that promote disaster resistance in homes have close links to those that promote energy efficiency. Many of the same technologies that promote energy efficiency for a home - for instance double-paned windows and seals on exterior openings - also provide greater disaster resistance. In addition, many of the types of retrofits for enhanced disaster resistance and energy efficiency involve the same components of a home (windows, roofs, doors). Therefore, many retrofits serving both purposes can be installed at the same time.


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Goal: Make Homes More Resistant to Natural Disasters
Policy: Link Efforts to Improve Disaster Resistance and Energy Efficiency


Why should states and localities link efforts to improve both disaster resistance and energy efficiency in homes?

In recent years there has been a substantial amount of federal funding available to support energy-efficient home renovations, but few, if any, programs provide funding aim to enhance both energy efficiency and disaster resistance. Combining these two goals within funding and incentive programs could create more cost-effective solutions for home hazard mitigation and energy conservation. In other words, if homeowners and builders are already getting funding and incentives to incorporate energy-efficient features into homes, why not at the same time provide incentives for vital disaster-resistant features? Therefore, it is important to explore options for blending efforts to improve the disaster resistance of housing with efforts to promote residential energy-efficiency.


Click on the links below to learn more about linking efforts to improve the disaster resistance and energy efficiency of homes:

IscaniExpand research and technical assistance to help communities build both safer and greener




Fall Creek PlaceIncorporate technologies that provide both disaster resistance and energy efficiency




Create programs that provide incentives for both disaster-resistant and energy-efficient improvements



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Goal: Make Homes More Resistant to Natural Disasters
Policy: Link Efforts to Improve Disaster Resistance and Energy Efficiency

Expand Research and Technical Assistance to Help Communities Build Both Safer and Greener

The growing importance of disaster resistance and energy efficiency in recent years has spurred state and local governments and organizations to research the best practices to enhance these qualities in homes, and to inform at-risk communities about these practices. Many industry/trade groups, research institutions, advocacy groups and government agencies have explored ways to build, upgrade - and in post-disaster situations - rebuild both safer and greener, and have used this knowledge to help educate builders and homeowners how to make their homes more disaster resistant and energy efficient.


Combining Research on Safer and Greener Building

The Hazards Planning Research Center and the Green Communities Research Center of the American Planning Association (APA) are jointly developing a new project examining the best practices in safe, sustainable residential construction. In addition they plan to provide technical assistance for communities seeking to incorporate these practices. The two centers officially launched this effort with a session on "Green Post-Disaster Redevelopment" at the 2009 APA National Planning Conference in Minneapolis.

Click here to leave this site and learn more about the APA project.


Solutions in Action
Soldiers Grove, Wisconsin, is a village located along the Kickapoo River in the southwest part of the state. The village had endured decades of repeated flooding. In 1960, the Army Corps of Engineers proposed constructing a levee to protect the Soldiers Grove from future flooding. However, the village refused the plan since the levee would have cost $3.5 million - $2.5 million more than the total assessed value of all property in the floodplain. [1]

In the mid-1970s, the town considered a substantial, but less expensive alternative - relocating its entire downtown to higher ground above the Kickapoo River. After the village was struck by the worst flood in its history in 1978, it convinced the Corps to assist in the relocation of its downtown using the federal disaster recovery funds allocated.

The village relocated 24 apartments, 10 houses and 30 businesses to higher ground. In addition, several homes that remained in flood-prone areas were elevated above the 100-year flood level. The new downtown district was built as a solar village, with all of the buildings being heated by solar energy. According to the American Planning Association, this was likely the very first example in the U.S. of rebuilding both safer and greener. [2]

Greensburg, Kansas, a town with a population of approximately 900, had to virtually rebuild from scratch after a tornado destroyed most of the towns homes and commercial structures in May of 2007. With the intention of rebuilding more resiliently and efficiently, and reinvigorating the town's economy, Greensburg developed a reconstruction plan that incorporated both disaster-resistant and energy-efficient buildings. [3]

The reconstruction effort placed strong emphasis on eco-tourism, putting the development of safer, more energy-efficient homes on display to boost tourism, and therefore the town's economy. A nonprofit group called Greensburg GreenTown set up the Chain of Eco-Homes Competition that will result in the design and construction of 12 "eco-homes" that will represent the best examples of disaster-resistant, energy-efficient residential building.

Development of the 12 houses is underway. When completed these houses will serve as templates for the town and other communities across the nation and world to build stronger, more efficient residential structures. One of the premier homes in this collection is the Silo House. It is a circular, concrete house with a rooftop vegetable garden can withstand winds greater than 200 miles per hour. [4]




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Expand research and technical assistance to help communities build both safer and greener

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Fall Creek PlaceIncorporate materials that provide both disaster resistance and energy efficiency

Create programs providing incentives for both disaster-resistant and energy-efficient improvements

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to view a list of key resources related to financing efforts to make homes more resistant to natural disasters.

[1] Breaking the Disaster Cycle: Future Directions in Natural Hazard Mitigation. [PDF] 2003. By David Salvesen. Emergency Management Institute. Federal Emergency Management Agency
[2] Soldiers Grove: Relocated town spared heavy flood damage; former site inundated. June 22, 2008. By Chris Hubbuch (2008). La Crosse Tribune.
[3] After a Tornado, a Kansas Town Rebuilds Green. August 22, 2009. By Keith Schneider. The New York Times.
[4] Whatever Happened to Greensburg, Kansas? 2009. By Melissa Knopper. E - The Environment Magazine.
Goal: Make Homes More Resistant to Natural Disasters
Policy: Link Efforts to Improve Disaster Resistance and Energy Efficiency

Incorporate Materials and Technologies that Provide Both Disaster Resistance and Energy Efficiency

Certain materials and building technologies provide greater resilience in the face of severe storms and energy-efficiency. For example, concrete homes provide better insulation and protection from wind and flying debris. The expanded use of such materials could provide a more cost-effective way for new and existing homes to be more resistant to disasters and more energy efficient.

Builders and households can incorporate these materials when constructing new homes or renovating existing ones. States and local governments can provide outreach and education on what materials can best serve both goals. By achieving better hazard resiliency and energy efficiency, residents can protect themselves, their home and save money.

Rendering of Meadowlark House, Greensburg KS - Image courtesy of Steven Learner Studio/Greensburg GreenTown


Solutions in Action
The Hurricane House in Chesapeake, Virginia was developed during the 1998 FEMA-sponsored Wind Summit, this house is built with wood frame construction and has insulation values that are higher than is typical in the region. It includes numerous features to increase hurricane resistance and energy-efficiency, including wind-resistant doors, double-glazed, laminated windows, and a "safe room." The Hurricane House also incorporates some alternative construction wall assemblies can provide substantial strength for hurricane resistance while also delivering inherent energy efficiency gains. [1]

The design plans for the Meadowlark House was the winner of the Chain of Eco-Homes Competition held in Greensburg, Kansas [link to related example in Expanding Research section] in 2009, which sought the best home designs incorporating energy efficiency and disaster-resilience. The Meadowlark House incorporates many sustainable and disaster-resistant elements. These include a wall system develop by the German company HIB. The wall system consists of wood blocks made from sustainable resources, without the use of any chemicals. It provides a high level of insulation, reducing energy costs, and is designed to resist the forces of strong winds. [2]



You are currently reading:

Incorporate materials that provide both disaster resistance and energy efficiency

Other pages in this section:

IscaniExpand research and technical assistance to help communities build both safer and greener

Create programs providing incentives for both disaster-resistant and energy-efficient improvements

Click here
to view a list of key resources related to financing efforts to make homes more resistant to natural disasters.

[1] Building for Disaster Mitigation. January/February 2000. By Christina B. Farnsworth. Home Energy Magazine Online.
[2] Chain of Eco-Homes Competition Winner Announced. October 15, 2009. Greensburg GreenTown Blog.

Goal: Make Homes More Resistant to Natural Disasters
Policy: Link Efforts to Improve Disaster Resistance and Energy Efficiency

Create Programs That Provide Incentives for Both Disaster-Resistant and Energy-Efficient Improvements

There are multiple programs that provide financial support and/or incentives to homeowners for either disaster mitigation measures or energy-efficient upgrades. Programs that combine financing and incentives for these two goals may be more cost-effective for both the homeowner and the entity providing support. Subsidy dollars could further serve both purposes at once, and homeowners could save time and money upgrading their homes with disaster-resistant and energy-efficient retrofits at the same time.

Although there are currently no programs in place that explicitly provide financing and / or incentives for both disaster-resistance and energy efficiency in homes, there are some current efforts to develop and implement such programs.

U.S Senator George LeMieux of Florida and other advocates in the state have proposed changes to the Weatherization Assistance Program that would allow for the funding of both energy-efficient and storm-resistant improvements for lower income households. Currently, program funds are only eligible for energy-efficient upgrades. [1]

Advocates have also been working with the current administration and Congress on the new HOME STAR program (also known as "Cash for Caulkers") to include incentives for disaster-resilient improvements and related inspections. This would be in addition to the incentives for energy inspections, audits and energy-efficient improvements that the program already provides.

Specifically, the amended changes include extending rebates to homeowners for measures to reduce the damage from hurricanes, floods, tornados, fires and other disasters. Some of the specific measures that the amendment proposes to cover are strengthening roof attachments, creating water barriers, adding storm shutters and elevating electrical systems. Similar to the current energy efficient rebates, homeowners would be eligible for up to $1,000 per mitigation measure, with the total rebate not to exceed $3,000 per homeowner. [2]

In addition, several affordable housing organizations, including Enterprise Community Partners, have recently advocated for extension of incentives for disaster-resistance and energy efficiency to multifamily housing developments - these programs mainly target single-family homes. The organizations have also encouraged the Administration to incorporate mitigation measures into capital expenditures and financing mechanisms for the development and preservation of affordable housing. [3]

Proposed Changes to the Weatherization Assistance Program

Created by the Energy Conservation and Production Act of 1976 (ECPA) and run by the Department of Energy, the federal Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) provides the main source of weatherization funding for households generally earning up to 125 percent of the federal poverty level or 60 percent of the state median income (whichever is greater).

The program was initially designed to fund lower income households funding to make energy-efficient improvements to their homes. Given the linkages between energy-efficient and disaster-resistant home improvements, U.S. Senator George LeMieux of Florida proposed an amendment (S.2818) to the ECPA that would additionally allow incentives for disaster-resistant improvements, so long as they also increase the energy efficiency of homes.

The proposed amendment has received support from multiple advocates and is currently under consideration in the Senate.



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Create programs providing incentives for both disaster-resistant and energy-efficient improvements

Other pages in this section:

IscaniExpand research and technical assistance to help communities build both safer and greener




Fall Creek PlaceIncorporate materials that provide both disaster resistance and energy efficiency

Click here
to view a list of key resources related to financing efforts to make homes more resistant to natural disasters.

[1] Proposed Amendment to Section 412(9) of the Energy Conservation and Production Act (42 U.S.C. 6862(9))
[2] SmarterSafer.org press release. February 11, 2010.
[3] Letter to HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan. February 5, 2010.
Goal: Make Homes More Resistant to Natural Disasters
Policy: Link Efforts to Improve Disaster Resistance and Energy Efficiency

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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