Grants for a Storm Shelter

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.