The Residential Safe Room Grant Program, established by the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency with funding from the Federal Emergency Management Agency's Hazard Mitigation grants, will be offering Mississippi residents reimbursement for installing a properly designed safe room or storm shelter on their property.
The application period has not yet been announced, but MEMA has provided the following information to educate potential applicants.
A few key reminders about how the program works:
• The program is a reimbursement program, meaning applicants must pay for the safe room upfront and will be reimbursed afterward.
• Applicants must apply, be selected and receive an official approval letter from MEMA before installing a safe room.
• Safe rooms must be installed at the applicant’s primary residence by a licensed Mississippi contractor.
Although the following documentation will only be required if an applicant is selected in the lottery, homeowners who are interested may want to begin gathering it now to help speed up the process later:
• Safe Room Quote – A quote from the applicant’s chosen safe room manufacturer or vendor is required. Applicants should ask the vendor if they participate in MEMA’s grant program; if so, the vendor has likely met the required standards.
• Location Coordinates – The latitude and longitude of the proposed installation site must be provided. These can be captured using a smartphone.
• Site Photos – Applicants must submit at least five clear photos: four showing the proposed installation site from each direction (North, South, East, and West) and one showing the front of the primary residence.
Homeowners with questions can contact MEMA’s Residential Safe Room Grant Program Hotline at 1-833-592-6362.
