$5,000 Could Save Your Home
In 2008, the Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) created a state-of-the-art research center to test different home construction techniques under different extreme weather conditions. The research center includes 105 high-powered fans to simulate the winds of multiple types of storms, such as severe thunderstorms and hurricanes.
This past Tuesday, IBHS conducted a test on two houses (which was covered by the Washington Post), simulating severe thunderstorm conditions and Category 3 hurricane winds. One home was constructed using conventional building techniques and materials, while the other was constructed according to IBHS FORTIFIED for Safer Living® standards. The different in construction costs between the two homes...$5,000. The difference in how they held up to storm conditions...see for yourself.
This is a great example of how low-cost improvements to building techniques can greatly increase disaster resilience, helping affected households save time, money -- and their lives -- when disasters strike. These low-cost improvements are especially vital in improving home disaster-resistance for lower income families. With costs very comparable to conventional construction, builders and communities can provide this safer form of housing at lower prices that working families can more easily afford.
Visit the Center for Housing Policy's Housing & Natural Disasters toolkit for more information. And let us know about any real-life success stories your community has had in providing disaster-resistant housing for working families.
This past Tuesday, IBHS conducted a test on two houses (which was covered by the Washington Post), simulating severe thunderstorm conditions and Category 3 hurricane winds. One home was constructed using conventional building techniques and materials, while the other was constructed according to IBHS FORTIFIED for Safer Living® standards. The different in construction costs between the two homes...$5,000. The difference in how they held up to storm conditions...see for yourself.
This is a great example of how low-cost improvements to building techniques can greatly increase disaster resilience, helping affected households save time, money -- and their lives -- when disasters strike. These low-cost improvements are especially vital in improving home disaster-resistance for lower income families. With costs very comparable to conventional construction, builders and communities can provide this safer form of housing at lower prices that working families can more easily afford.
Visit the Center for Housing Policy's Housing & Natural Disasters toolkit for more information. And let us know about any real-life success stories your community has had in providing disaster-resistant housing for working families.
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© 2012 Created by Center for Housing Policy staff.
