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Tampa - Habitat for Humanity is building its first “Fortified…for safer living” disaster-resistant home in Florida with help from the Travelers Foundation.
The “Fortified…for safer living” program is a national initiative featuring innovative construction options to help protect homes from natural disasters. The program is sponsored by the Tampa-based Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS), which is supported by member insurance companies.
The new home, being built in Hillsborough County (5712 Camp Street, Wimauma), should be finished by early fall.
A $10,000 Travelers Foundation grant is funding the disaster-resistant upgrades for this and a number of other Habitat homes in the area. The grant was made on behalf of First Floridian Auto and Home Insurance Company, a Travelers personal lines company and an IBHS member.
The “Fortified” program offers protection that generally goes beyond what is required by local building codes. The “Fortified” guidelines in Florida better safeguard homes primarily against high wind, wildfire and flooding, the state’s costliest natural perils. The “Fortified” designation is granted by IBHS after verification by a qualified inspector.
Construction features in the Wimauma Habitat home include:
- Non-combustible roof materials that also better withstand high winds;
- Heavier roof deck held more securely in place and protected by a secondary moisture barrier;
- Double-paned windows protected by shutters;
- Reinforced entry doors;
- Non-combustible exterior materials: stucco, aluminum soffits and facia;
- Building site and landscaping techniques that reduce wildfire and flooding vulnerability.
“We’re excited Wimauma was chosen as a site to demonstrate the importance of natural disaster safety,” said Liz Fields, Executive Director of Hillsborough County Habitat for Humanity. “We’re equally pleased that Habitat was chosen for this endeavor.”
Harvey Ryland, IBHS president and CEO said, “All homes should be safe from disasters. Working with Habitat for Humanity certainly helps us demonstrate that the ‘Fortified’ program includes a range of affordable disaster-resistant options. We’re thankful the Travelers Foundation encouraged this partnership to better protect these homes.”
“As a provider of home and auto insurance, we’ve seen first-hand the devastation natural disasters can cause,” said Nancy Baily, president and CEO of First Floridian. “We believe in investing in initiatives that educate the public about preventive measures that can help reduce the risk of a loss and help ensure the safety and well being of friends and family.”
The “Fortified…for safer living” program kicked off in October 2000 with three homes in Pinellas County, and has now expanded throughout the state and into North Carolina and Illinois, with additional projects underway in a number of additional states.
The Institute for Business & Home Safety is a national nonprofit initiative of the insurance industry to reduce deaths, injuries, property damage, economic losses and human suffering caused by natural disasters.
First Floridian Auto and Home Insurance Company, a Travelers personal lines company, is a wholly owned subsidiary of St. Paul Travelers (NYSE: STA), which supports community involvement through its two foundations, The St. Paul Companies Foundation and Travelers Foundation.
For more on the "Fortified" program, click here.
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