South Carolina Safe Home Grant Program

The South Carolina Safe Home Mitigation Grant Program is administered by the South Carolina Department of Insurance and was originally established through the Omnibus Coastal Property Insurance Reform Act of 2007, with updates enacted through subsequent legislation including Act 28. The program is designed to strengthen residential structures in hurricane-prone coastal areas by providing financial assistance to homeowners for specific hazard mitigation improvements. Its overarching goal is to reduce property damage from high winds and storms while also supporting long-term resilience and potentially lowering insurance risks and costs for homeowners. The primary purpose of the grant program is to fund retrofits that improve a home's ability to withstand hurricanes and strong winds. Eligible improvements include roof strengthening measures such as enhanced roof deck attachment, installation of secondary water barriers, upgrading to high wind-rated roofing materials, reinforcing roof-to-wall connections, and structural bracing. The program also supports installation of opening protection systems, including impact-resistant windows, reinforced doors, garage doors, and approved hurricane shutter or barrier systems. Importantly, the grant does not cover general home repairs, remodeling, or new construction, and funds must be used strictly for qualifying mitigation activities. Funding is provided through several award tiers depending on the type of mitigation project selected. These include Resilient Mitigation awards for projects meeting both Safe Home and IBHS Fortified Roof standards, Sustainable Mitigation awards for projects meeting Safe Home standards only or involving opening protection, and Hurricane Shuttering or Protective Barrier awards. Grant amounts vary by category and may be offered as either matching or non-matching awards. If project costs exceed the awarded amount, the applicant is responsible for covering the remaining balance. Award calculations are also influenced by household income, adjusted for family size and compared to regional median income benchmarks established by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Eligibility for the program is restricted to homeowners residing in designated coastal counties in South Carolina. Applicants must own and occupy the property as their primary residence, and the home must be a single-family, freestanding structure. Additional requirements include maintaining an active homeowner’s insurance policy, having no prior Safe Home grant awards used on the property, and having no previous storm-related damage claims or insurance payouts associated with the home. These criteria ensure that funds are directed toward eligible, at-risk properties that have not previously benefited from the program. The application process is conducted through designated application periods when the program portal is open. For the current cycle, the program began accepting applications on April 8, 2026. Applicants are encouraged to prepare in advance by reviewing program requirements and ensuring all necessary documentation is available. The process includes selecting a mitigation project type, working with approved contractors or inspectors, and submitting required documentation through the application portal. While specific evaluation criteria are not detailed, funding decisions are based on eligibility verification, project type, and income-based prioritization. The program also collaborates with the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety (IBHS) Fortified Roof program, allowing homeowners to pursue dual certification for roof upgrades. While the construction standards are similar, IBHS certification includes third-party verification and provides a nationally recognized designation. Both certifications may make homeowners eligible for insurance premium discounts, depending on the carrier. For assistance, applicants can contact program staff via phone or email through the South Carolina Department of Insurance, which manages program administration and support services.