Published - November, 30, 2006
Stronger homes not just a dream
Rebuild initiative offers free help to 3,000 Escambia homeowners
Amy Sowder
Eva Gray is approaching 80, and she can't afford another hurricane to hurt her home.
As a disabled widow who resides at her brick home in Pensacola's Ferry Pass area, Gray is among those who will benefit from a new $20 million home hazard-mitigation program.
Through the program, Gray will get extra-strength windows and roof renovation -- without spending a dime.
"I couldn't believe it," Gray said after workers from Rebuild Northwest Florida measured her windows. "I hope this isn't all a dream."
Rebuild Northwest Florida is offering that dream to 3,000 homeowners in Escambia County, with free help to harden their homes against hurricanes.
The nonprofit organization helps low-income homeowners repair their hurricane-damaged homes. However, this new effort expands the group's reach to help people protect their homes before storms arrive.
The program primarily will be available for moderate- to low-income homeowners, but anyone can apply.
Those who qualify for the residential home-mitigation program will get a free inspection and free renovation for things such as adding hurricane shutters and upgrading to stronger, thicker roof shingles.
The improvements will lead to discounts in homeowners insurance premiums.
"All insurance companies in Florida are required to offer premium credits to customers who mitigate their homes," said Lynne McChristian, spokeswoman for USAA Property & Casualty Insurance Group. "That's the law."
The difference for Escambia County residents is that they can apply with Rebuild and have the work done for free as well as receive the discounts.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency gave Rebuild $15 million toward the program for Escambia County. The remaining the $5 million comes from state funding sources.
Organizers said their goal is to harden 1,000 homes a year for three years. A similar program is expected to be set up for Santa Rosa County by the end of the year.
The mitigation program is possibly the largest of its kind in the state, said Derek Whidden, Rebuild's assistant executive director.
"With this program, there's no out-of-pocket cost," Whidden said. "We pay for the inspection and for the renovations, but it's need-based. We'll even go out to the client's house to help them apply if they don't have a car or are disabled."
Whidden encouraged applicants to bring documents proving income level, homeowners insurance and the home's value.
The renovations include recommended hurricane-impact windows, which meet the stringent levels imposed in Miami-Dade County after Hurricane Andrew wiped out Homestead in 1992.
People also can have storm shutters installed, garage doors replaced, roof shingles upgraded and roof trusses strengthened.
Some insurance companies won't even insure customers unless they have some of these items, such as the hip roof -- a roof that slopes on all sides.
"We've had clients change their design to a hip roof so that they won't encounter future coverage problems," said Doug Whitfield of Doug Whitfield Residential Designer Inc. in Pensacola. "I never imagined how much hurricanes would affect architectural designs."
Only about 70 people have applied for the free program, Whidden said.
One of the early participants is Charles Price, 63, who resides with his wife, Linda, 61, off Gulf Beach Highway near Fairfield Drive in West Pensacola.
The Prices are getting extra-strength trusses to connect their roof to the walls; shingles that can withstand 110-mph winds; and impact-resistant, laminated, double-paned windows.
Price, who has worked construction for more than 50 years, was impressed with the improvements.
"I asked, 'Isn't this overkill?' They said, 'Better overkill than underkill,' " Charles Price said.
"I'm impressed. With this home, all we have to worry about is having enough gas for our generator and enough room for our neighbors."
As a disabled widow who resides at her brick home in Pensacola's Ferry Pass area, Gray is among those who will benefit from a new $20 million home hazard-mitigation program.
Through the program, Gray will get extra-strength windows and roof renovation -- without spending a dime.
"I couldn't believe it," Gray said after workers from Rebuild Northwest Florida measured her windows. "I hope this isn't all a dream."
Rebuild Northwest Florida is offering that dream to 3,000 homeowners in Escambia County, with free help to harden their homes against hurricanes.
The nonprofit organization helps low-income homeowners repair their hurricane-damaged homes. However, this new effort expands the group's reach to help people protect their homes before storms arrive.
The program primarily will be available for moderate- to low-income homeowners, but anyone can apply.
Those who qualify for the residential home-mitigation program will get a free inspection and free renovation for things such as adding hurricane shutters and upgrading to stronger, thicker roof shingles.
The improvements will lead to discounts in homeowners insurance premiums.
"All insurance companies in Florida are required to offer premium credits to customers who mitigate their homes," said Lynne McChristian, spokeswoman for USAA Property & Casualty Insurance Group. "That's the law."
The difference for Escambia County residents is that they can apply with Rebuild and have the work done for free as well as receive the discounts.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency gave Rebuild $15 million toward the program for Escambia County. The remaining the $5 million comes from state funding sources.
Organizers said their goal is to harden 1,000 homes a year for three years. A similar program is expected to be set up for Santa Rosa County by the end of the year.
The mitigation program is possibly the largest of its kind in the state, said Derek Whidden, Rebuild's assistant executive director.
"With this program, there's no out-of-pocket cost," Whidden said. "We pay for the inspection and for the renovations, but it's need-based. We'll even go out to the client's house to help them apply if they don't have a car or are disabled."
Whidden encouraged applicants to bring documents proving income level, homeowners insurance and the home's value.
The renovations include recommended hurricane-impact windows, which meet the stringent levels imposed in Miami-Dade County after Hurricane Andrew wiped out Homestead in 1992.
People also can have storm shutters installed, garage doors replaced, roof shingles upgraded and roof trusses strengthened.
Some insurance companies won't even insure customers unless they have some of these items, such as the hip roof -- a roof that slopes on all sides.
"We've had clients change their design to a hip roof so that they won't encounter future coverage problems," said Doug Whitfield of Doug Whitfield Residential Designer Inc. in Pensacola. "I never imagined how much hurricanes would affect architectural designs."
Only about 70 people have applied for the free program, Whidden said.
One of the early participants is Charles Price, 63, who resides with his wife, Linda, 61, off Gulf Beach Highway near Fairfield Drive in West Pensacola.
The Prices are getting extra-strength trusses to connect their roof to the walls; shingles that can withstand 110-mph winds; and impact-resistant, laminated, double-paned windows.
Price, who has worked construction for more than 50 years, was impressed with the improvements.
"I asked, 'Isn't this overkill?' They said, 'Better overkill than underkill,' " Charles Price said.
"I'm impressed. With this home, all we have to worry about is having enough gas for our generator and enough room for our neighbors."
