Latest news with #SafeHomes
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
More SC homeowners can get state aid to protect roofs from hurricane damage
Aerial view in worker hands installing bitumen roof shingles with air hammer and nail. (File photo by Getty Images) COLUMBIA — The state is pumping millions into a program that allows coastal South Carolinians to strengthen their roofs against hurricanes and other high wind events. The SC Safe Home grant program aims to protect homes against natural disasters, in turn lowering their insurance costs. The state Department of Insurance normally awards about $3.5 million annually to homeowners, spokesperson Diane Cooper told the SC Daily Gazette. But the Legislature provided a big boost in the budget that takes effect July 1: An additional $5.5 million will more than double the grants to $8.9 million in the upcoming fiscal year. The boost comes as federal forecasters predict above-normal activity this hurricane season, which started June 1 and extends through Nov. 30. 'One of the major complaints I hear from my constituents is the rise in insurance premiums for wind and hail, or hurricane floods,' Sen. Tom Davis told the Gazette. 'I'm always looking for ways that we can try to control the site and insurance premiums.' The Beaufort Republican is one of the program's original backers, pushing for its creation during his tenure as Gov. Mark Sanford's chief of staff. Since its 2007 inception, the Safe Homes program has doled out more than 8,000 state-funded grants worth a total of $40.7 million to homeowners looking to reinforce their homes. Homeowners can get SC grants to strengthen roofs, windows against hurricane damage This fiscal year, 598 grants worth up to $7,500 were awarded. The vast majority of homeowners use the money to retrofit their roof. Homeowners can also get up to $3,000 to install hurricane shutters. In all, they report saving 24% on their insurance premiums, according to the state Department of Insurance's 2024 annual report. With the Legislature providing more money for the program, more houses can be retrofitted. Of the additional $5.5 million, only $2.5 million is recurring, meaning it will continue in future budgets indefinitely. That's enough for roughly 250 grants annually. The $3 million in one-time aid will boost the total additional grants to an estimated 650 in 2025-26, Cooper said. The actual number of grants may be higher, depending on whether the agency needs to hire people — and if so, how many — to handle the additional workload, she said. Regardless of the exact number of grants, it should be enough to prove the program lowers costs, Davis said. He hopes legislators then turn the full $5.5 million into a recurring item in the budget. 'If our assumptions are correct and that retrofitting leads to a decrease in people's premiums, that one-time money could be made recurring,' said Davis, chairman of the Senate Finance subcommittee for natural resources and economic development. According to the National Institute of Building Sciences, the nation saves $6 in future 'disaster costs' for every $1 spent on mitigation. The program, started in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, awards grants based on the homeowner's income. Following Katrina and other hurricanes that hit the Gulf in Texas, insurers started refusing to cover hurricane-related wind and hail damage along the coast. The 2007 Coastal Property Insurance Reform Act was legislators' response. Since 2012, the number of companies writing property insurance policies has increased by more than 100, according to the Department of Insurance's annual report. In addition to the roof retrofits, the state also provides income tax credits to homeowners who fortify their property, worth a combined $2,500. Since the grants don't cover the entire retrofitting costs, the tax credits further help make the projects affordable, Davis said. The head of the insurance agency credits Davis for the budget boost. He's 'been a tireless advocate for strengthening coastal resilience and protecting South Carolina families,' Michael Wise, the agency's director, said in a news release. 'His leadership was critical in making this additional funding a reality, and we are grateful for his commitment to mitigation and public safety.'
Yahoo
06-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Berks company providing free smoke alarms in community stricken by fire tragedies
A Reading company that describes itself as a one-stop shop for commercial and residential security system installation has launched an initiative to provide free smoke detectors to residents of Robeson Township, the location of two recent home fire tragedies. Alarm Tech will supply and help distribute smoke detectors to households across Robeson Township with the help of the Gibraltar and Geigertown fire companies as part of the Safe Homes, Safe Families initiative, the company announced this week. The two volunteer fire companies provide primary fire protection in Robeson, where five people died as a result of two predawn fires less than three weeks apart in April. On April 9, a 34-year-old woman and her father were unable to escape a fire in the middle of the night that was linked to a wood-burning stove. No working smoke detectors were found in the home, fire officials said. The second fire, on April 28, claimed the lives of a 54-year-old man and his parents who were unable to get out despite smoke alarms activating, fire officials said. Alarm Tech, a family-owned company, has deep ties to that community. 'As a company built by Robeson Township residents, the recent events in our community have hit incredibly close to home,' Richard Fix, owner of Alarm Tech and a retired assistant chief of Gibraltar Fire Company located in the township, said in the announcement. 'This initiative is our way of giving back and doing what we do best — protecting families through proactive fire safety and education.' The initiative is open to all residents of Robeson Township and may expand throughout Berks County soon, the company said. Residents can sign up by filling out a short form online. Detector distribution will begin in coordination with local fire companies, with scheduled pick-up dates to be announced soon. For more information or to request a detector, visit With three divisions — Alarm Tech Systems, Alarm Tech Suppression and Alarm Tech Sprinkler — the company can design, install, maintain, inspect and monitor fire alarm, security, sprinkler and suppression systems. Geigertown Fire Company Chief Scott Gullo said Alarm Tech's initiative is most welcome. Since the fires, he said, the fire company has been having internal discussions about launching its own initiative that would provide free services to homeowners, especially those unable to install smoke detectors, to ensure every home has working smoke alarms. The details of the program, which would piggyback on Safe Homes, Safe Families, are still being worked out, he said. In the meantime, the fire company will work with Alarm Tech to arrange one or more dates for residents to pick up free alarms.
Yahoo
06-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Tony Howard's Revue Concert to benefit Safe Homes of Augusta
AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF) – Four months after Hurricane Helene, many nonprofits in the area are still feeling the impacts the storm left behind. Safe Homes of Augusta is looking to the community for support post-Hurricane Helene. One local legend will bring the tunes to Columbia County with the goal of raising funds for the nonprofit. Like many, the impacts of Hurricane Helene are still lingering for Safe Homes of Augusta. 'Unfortunately, due to the hurricane, we had to cancel our largest annual fundraiser which is 'Fake it to make it…,' Safe Homes of Augusta Development Director Jennifer Frantom said. But while one fundraiser is being put on hold for next year, local legend Tony Howard has a way to support the nonprofit. 'One of the ways that our community is involved, and this is actually an annual event, is the Tony Howard Motown Revue, and this is something we look forward to every year. It's a third-party event for Safe Homes and it will take place, actually, this upcoming Saturday, February 8th at the Columbia County Performing Arts Center,' Frantom said. Frantom says the work they do impacts many. 'One in four women and one in seven men experience domestic violence, physical, domestic violence during their lifetime. And I'm sure that that number goes even higher as a lot of that goes unreported,' she said. Leaders at Safe Homes say it's the community's help that allows them to provide the resources they do. 'It's definitely made this year all the more important for our community to come together and support. So, we've been really fortunate that we've had a lot of individuals and businesses reach out to see how they can help, how they can plug in because everything counts,' Frantom said. Motown Revue tickets are currently on sale for $29 and can be purchased at the performing arts center box office or online here. Doors open at 6 p.m. If you or someone you know is in need of more information from Safe Homes, you can contact their hotline at (706) 736-2499. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
