CATEGORIES: 

FEMA Grants: How More People Can Gain Protection

Years ago the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) began grant programs for families affected by natural disasters.  These grants are administered through the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP).  FEMA’s website defines these type grants as providing assistance to states and local governments with the implementations of long-term hazard mitigation measures after a major disaster declaration.

What is mitigation?  Mitigation is the action of reducing the severity, seriousness, or painfulness of something.  In this case, acting BEFORE the disaster in hopes of decreasing negative impact AFTER the disaster.  These grants have been helpful to some, but have not gone without criticism from others.

Many believe that the main problem with FEMA HMGP is the storm shelter payment procedure.


To receive the grant, or rebate as they are sometimes called, the customer must first pay full price for the shelter, then seek a reimbursement check after it has been installed.  Reimbursement payments taking anywhere from four to eight weeks proves just too long for some families to wait.Some storm shelter companies agree on a simple solution.  FEMA could develop an assignment of benefits system allowing storm shelter/safe room providers to install FEMA compliant safe rooms or storm shelters into grant recipients’ homes.  Then the storm shelter provider would submit the guarantee’s grant voucher along with sufficient documentation to FEMA for reimbursement.This system would ensure that a quality, FEMA compliant safe room or storm shelter has been installed.  It would also alleviate the financial burden that these families face with the upfront cost of having the shelter installed.  FEMA works hard to protect people and these grants are a great thing and with a few changes in process many more people could gain protection from the earth’s natural disasters.There are other ways to get a shelter while waiting for FEMA to come through.  With many available financing options and storm shelter loans available to families, we make it affordable for nearly everyone.  If you would like to know the details, give us a call at 1-888-360-1492.
Home
The leading manufacturer and distributor of prefabricated steel above ground and below ground tornado shelters, and community safe rooms.
FacebookFacebook
TwitterTwitter
YouTubeYouTube
LinkedInLinkedIn
Privacy PolicyTerms    Copyright ©2024 Survive-A-Storm. All rights reserved.