South Carolina Awards 85 Mitigation Grants to Coastal Homeowners

Eighty-five South Carolina homeowners who live on the coast are the latest recipients of grants to help them strengthen their homes against storms.

Scott H. Richardson, state insurance commissioner, said the SC Safe Home awards went to homeowners living in Beaufort, Berkeley, Charleston, Colleton, Dorchester, Georgetown, Horry, Marion and Florence counties.

More than 1,500 property owners have received grants since the program was begun in 2007. Grants of up to $5,000 are available for owner-occupied homes and may be awarded on a matching or non-matching basis.

“These homeowners are taking proactive steps through these important mitigation projects by not only protecting their property but also and more importantly, by possibly saving lives,” said Richardson.

Richardson said that the single most effective mitigation measure a homeowner can make is the replacement of the roof with a stronger, safer roofing system. Seventy-six percent of the grant recipients have selected to retrofit their roof systems through the state’s SC Safe Home.

Richardson said these homeowners report not only energy savings but also insurance savings.

“Retrofitted structures are more attractive risks to insurance companies. Homeowners that have completed mitigation projects through SC Safe Home have reported premium reduction savings of up to 24 percent on their property insurance,” said Richardson.

According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), society saves $4.00 in possible losses and reconstruction costs post disaster for every dollar spent on mitigation. Based on this information, officials said SC Safe Home has reduced the potential loss and future reconstruction costs from a hurricane or severe wind event by more than $24.5 million.