Tampa – Nationwide Insurance, North Carolina’s leading home insurer together with Habitat for Humanity handed over the keys today to the state’s first “Fortified…for safer living” disaster-resistant Habitat home.
The new home, on South 10th Street in Wilmington, was sponsored by Nationwide Insurance. It’s the first Habitat home constructed according to “Fortified” criteria, and the first “Fortified” home built outside Florida, where the program debuted.
“Fortified…for safer living” is a national, all-risk initiative of the Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS), based in Tampa, Florida. The program features innovative construction options to help safeguard families from natural disasters, with protection that generally goes beyond what is required by local building codes. The “Fortified” designation must be granted by a qualified inspection service.
The North Carolina “Fortified” guidelines are designed to better protect homes primarily against high winds and flooding, the state’s costliest natural perils. Construction features in the Wilmington Habitat home include:
Non-combustible roof materials that also better withstand high winds;
Stronger connections tying the roof and walls to the foundation;
Windows protected by shutters;
Reinforced entry doors;
Building site and landscaping techniques that reduce wildfire and flooding vulnerability.
Habitat houses are offered to partner families at no profit, financed with affordable, no-interest loans. In addition to the down payment and the monthly mortgage, homeowners invest hundreds of hours of their own labor – sweat equity – into building their Habitat house and the houses of others.
Shavonny McIntyre will share the “Fortified” Habitat home with her three children. “I feel secure. Even if my family has to evacuate for a hurricane, I know my home will still be here when we come back.”
Doug Robinette, IBHS board member and Nationwide Insurance Senior Vice President of Claims, said, “This Habitat house is really special because it will demonstrate to North Carolinians that some simple, affordable steps can be taken to help keep cherished possessions safe when a hurricane hits.”
Dave Gettles, Vice President in charge of Nationwide’s North Carolina operations, said, “This will be the third Habitat house that Nationwide has built in North Carolina. Following ‘builds’ in Charlotte and Raleigh, we are pleased to pioneer the ‘Fortified’ house project in Wilmington. Given the state’s exposure to hurricanes, we wanted to showcase the additional safety features that can help protect our citizens’ homes.”
Nationwide has committed $3.2 million to build 61 homes in 58 cities around the country, in partnership with Habitat for Humanity International.
“The ‘Fortified’ house project was an enjoyable challenge to be a part of,” said Esmond Anderson, Habitat Construction Superintendent. “The entire package will assure that this home will be storm resistant.
Barbara Birkenheuer, Executive Director of Cape Fear Habitat for Humanity, said “Our mission of building safe houses took on a new dimension with the building of this house. Our volunteers learned new skills and readily accepted that challenge. The McIntyre Family feels blessed to be receiving this particular house and we feel honored that Habitat was chosen to build it.”
Said IBHS President and CEO Harvey Ryland, “We’re especially pleased that the introduction of the ‘Fortified’ program in North Carolina was done in partnership with Habitat for Humanity. We look forward to working with Habitat on additional projects around the country as our relationship grows.”
Lowe’s Home Improvement Warehouse funded the purchase of safety equipment, such as smoke detectors, for the home and other materials.
“Lowe’s is a big supporter of Habitat for Humanity in North Carolina,” said Jimmie McCarter, Lowe's commercial sales manager. “Our company focus on home safety, and disaster preparedness dovetails perfectly with the project’s goals.”
Simpson Strong-Tie Company, which has worked with IBHS on several “Fortified” projects, donated connectors for the project, including hurricane straps, clips and anchor bolts.
The “Fortified…for safer living” program kicked off in Florida in October 2000. Earlier this year, the program expanded into North Carolina, first with this Habitat home, and now with three duplexes being built by Security Building Group on Topsail Island.
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