Grants for a Storm Shelter
A storm shelter provides a high level of protection in extreme windstorms such as tornadoes, but they can be expensive to build. In the United States, grants to build a storm shelter may be obtained from federal, state or local sources. Rebates and loans may also be available. Does this Spark an idea?
FEMA
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) provides funding to states via the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program for long-term hazard mitigation projects, including storm shelter grants to citizens.
USDA
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) provides grant funding to states via the Rural Storm Shelter Program for construction of residential storm shelters in a "rural area or a community of less than 20,000 (population)" by homeowners 62 years of age or older.
State
Some state emergency preparedness agencies provide grants for construction of community storm shelters. Call or check the Web site of your state's emergency management agency to find out if your state offers these grants.
Local
Local grants may be available from your city or your region's council of governments (COG). These grants usually come from federal funding.
Rebates
Instead of grants, some states offer rebates for construction of a storm shelter that meets the design criteria in FEMA Publication 320. The rebate amount varies by state.
Loans
The USDA also offers low-interest loans payable over a 20-year period via the Rural Storm Shelter Program. The loans are available for construction of residential storm shelters in a "rural area or a community of less than 20,000 (population)" by homeowners of any age.
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