Rhode Island law offers storm-strengthening grants to eligible homeowners

The Strengthen Rhody Homes program may make grants available to eligible homeowners for work that protects their homes from hurricanes and other catastrophic events. The home must be an owner-occupied, single-family primary residence in a county where grants are approved. Condominiums and mobile homes do not qualify. The program does not guarantee a grant or require the state to pay for the work. It can operate only with federal grants or funds from other sources. Applicants must meet program rules, including requirements for an owner-occupied home, insurance, an evaluator, contractor bids, and approved construction standards. Owners pay the evaluator's fee. Grant money cannot pay for maintenance or repairs, but may be combined with repairs or rebuilding needed after a catastrophic event. Retrofit work must be completed within three months after the homeowner receives grant approval. New construction must meet the timeframe set by the insurance superintendent.

The program may seek grants and gifts, and may make funding available to nonprofits for eligible storm-protection projects. Projects may build or retrofit insurable property to resist hurricanes or other catastrophic events; nonprofit projects must address hurricanes or other catastrophic windstorms. Nonprofit funding is allowed only when the funding source's rules permit it. A nonprofit administering funds must follow the program's grant rules and provide records requested by the insurance superintendent. Money in the revolving fund may be spent only for program purposes and cannot be transferred to other state funds. The law takes effect upon passage. Money in the revolving fund does not expire at the end of a state fiscal year, subject to any limits set by its funding source.