October 3, 2006
Rebuild gets $1.5 million boost
Nonprofit partners with state to reinforce homes
Northwest Florida got a boost from the state Tuesday in its effort to bolster low-income homes against hurricane damage.Tom Gallagher, Florida 's chief financial officer, visited Pensacola to present the nonprofit with nearly $1.5 million to help strengthen 1,000 homes against hurricanes.
Gallagher, who lost to state Attorney General Charlie Crist in the Republican gubernatorial primary, made the announcement at a Rebuild project site in Ensley. He said better protecting homes could help reduce skyrocketing insurance premiums.
"The idea is to retrofit as many homes as possible," he said. "We're real happy to see this going on up here."
The grants can be used for such items as:
- Strengthening roofs and making them more water impermeable.
- Reinforcing the roof's connection to the house's walls.
- Upgrading windows and doors to better withstand wind and flying debris.
Rebuild was formed after Hurricane Ivan damaged and destroyed thousands of homes in Escambia and Santa Rosa counties on Sept. 16, 2004.
While the organization's original focus was to repair homes owned by low-income residents, the state grant will allow it to expand its mission into strengthening homes, Rebuild Executive Director Miles Anderson said.
Rebuild is one of 12 nonprofits statewide to share $8.1 million through partnerships forged with the My Safe Florida Home program.
The only organization to receive more money more than Rebuild was Palm Beach County 's We Help Community Development Corp., which got about $3 million.
The $8.1 million devoted to low-income homeowners is part of $250 million state lawmakers approved this year for a storm-hardening program.
Any homeowner whose primary residence is a single-family home with an insured value of less than $500,000 can apply directly to the state for an inspection to determine how much wind the home could withstand. Qualified homeowners then can receive matching grants of up to $5,000 for hardening work.
