Statewide Residential Safe Room Grant Program

How does the lottery work?
The grant is awarded through a lottery system to ensure a fair process for all.

When will the lottery take place, and how will I know if I’m selected?
The first lottery will be held shortly after the application period closes. If selected, you will receive an email from no-reply@my.msema.org with instructions to continue your application.

It’s important to understand that this may not be the only lottery. If additional spots become available later, another round of lottery selections may be held.

Reminder*: Be sure to check your junk or spam folder often so you don’t miss any emails.

What if I’m not selected—can I apply again?
Yes. If you are not selected this time, you are welcome to apply again during the next grant offering.

Will this program be offered again in the future?
This program depends on the availability of federal funding. MEMA intends to offer it again if funding is available, but future grant cycles cannot be guaranteed.

Are safe rooms and storm shelters the same thing?
In Mississippi, people use various terms, including storm shelter, safe house, storm cellar, or simply “shelter.” MEMA uses the term "safe room" to describe a shelter that is properly engineered and built to withstand the most severe tornadoes.

Can I apply if I rent my home?
No. Renters are not eligible for this grant. Only Mississippi homeowners may apply. Manufactured homeowners must also own the land where the manufactured home is located.

What if I own a mobile/manufactured home but not the land?
You would not be eligible. To qualify, you must own both the home and the land on which it sits.

Are second homes or vacation properties eligible?
No. Only your primary residence is eligible for this program.

Can I apply if I live in a historic district?
Yes. Homeowners in historic districts may apply. However, additional requirements may apply to ensure compliance with historic preservation rules before approval is granted.

Can I apply if I live in a flood zone?
Safe rooms must be placed in areas that are not prone to flooding. In most cases, safe rooms cannot be installed in FEMA-designated Special Flood Hazard Areas (SFHAs). Exceptions may apply for above-ground safe rooms in certain areas and may be approved on a case-by-case basis if allowed.  such as Shaded Zone X, where levees reduce the risk. Safe rooms are also not allowed in federally designated wetlands except in rare cases where above-ground safe rooms may be permitted under federal regulations. 

If I already have a safe room, can I get reimbursed to upgrade or modify it?
No. This grant covers the installation of new safe rooms only. Existing safe rooms are not eligible for reimbursement. Safe rooms cannot be installed until you receive an official letter of approval from MEMA. Installing before approval will make you ineligible.

Will MEMA recommend a safe room manufacturer/vendor/contractor for me to use?

No. MEMA does not endorse, certify, approve, or recommend safe room manufacturers, contractors, companies, products, or individuals. It is the applicant’s responsibility to make sure their selected safe room manufacturer and contractor meet all program requirements, including:

• FEMA P-320 (2024) and ICC-500 (2023) standards
• Blueprints sealed by a Mississippi-licensed Professional Engineer
• Clear documentation of design wind speed (250 mph), occupancy, and gross/usable area
• Installation by a licensed Mississippi contractor
• Compliance with local codes and permitting requirements

What happens if I select a safe room manufacturer that does not meet the required standards for the grant program?
If you are selected in the lottery and your chosen manufacturer does not meet the required safety standards, MEMA will notify you. You will need to choose a different manufacturer that meets the standards before your application can move forward. This will delay your application until a qualifying safe room is selected.

How large can my safe room be?
Residential safe rooms funded through this program cannot exceed a maximum occupancy of 16 people. The engineer-sealed blueprints must state the maximum occupancy. If it exceeds 16, the safe room will not qualify for this grant program.

What happens if the safe room costs more than $3,500?
An approved grant will provide a reimbursement for 75% of your safe room costs, up to a maximum of $3,500, after all reimbursement documentation has been submitted and approved, and the safe room inspection has been completed.

• Example 1: If your safe room costs $4,000, 75% is $3,000—you would be reimbursed $3,000.
• Example 2: If your safe room costs $6,000, 75% would be $4,500—but the program cap is $3,500, so you would only be reimbursed $3,500.
  👉 The most anyone can receive is $3,500, no matter how much the safe room costs.

What documents will be required for reimbursement?
You must provide clear records that show you paid for your safe room in full:

• Itemized invoices for all related costs (safe room, installation, concrete pad if applicable)
• Proof of payment, such as cleared checks, money orders, or credit card receipts/statements
  ⚠️ Payments made in cash or through financing agreements are not accepted.
• Completed and signed W-9 tax form
• Notarized contractor certification from the licensed Mississippi contractor who installed the safe room

Can I finance the safe room or use a payment plan?
No. Financing agreements and payment plans are not allowed. The program can only reimburse payments that are fully documented and already cleared.

Will my reimbursement be taxed?
According to FEMA guidance, disaster assistance grants like this are generally not considered taxable income and are exempt from Social Security, Medicare, and federal unemployment taxes. However, every situation is different. 👉 We recommend checking with your tax professional for advice specific to you.

Can reimbursement go directly to my contractor instead of me?
No. Reimbursement is issued only to the approved grant applicant.

• If someone other than the applicant pays for the safe room, the person who paid must sign a form acknowledging that reimbursement will still go to the applicant, even though they paid the bill.

Can I be reimbursed for additional costs, such as landscaping, driveways, or cosmetic work around the safe room?
No. The grant only covers eligible costs directly related to the safe room construction/ installation itself. Items such as landscaping, driveways, or cosmetic work are not covered.

Can my contractor start construction/installation as soon as I’m selected in the lottery?
No. Being selected in the lottery does not mean you are approved. You must wait until you receive your official approval letter before beginning construction or installation. Starting early will disqualify you from the grant program.

Can I install the safe room myself and still qualify for reimbursement?
No. Safe rooms must be installed by a licensed Mississippi contractor. Self-installation does not qualify for reimbursement.

Where can my safe room be located?
Safe rooms may be:

• Inside your home
• Attached to your home
• Detached from your home—as long as the safe room is within 150 feet of an exterior door (measured as a clear, unobstructed walking path)

Can I install the safe room on an existing concrete pad?
Yes, but the concrete must meet the safe room manufacturer’s requirements. The vendor may need to certify that the existing concrete pad meets the standards before approval can be granted.

Can I install an underground safe room in a floodplain?
No. Safe rooms cannot be installed underground in a floodplain, even in rare cases where an above-ground safe room might be allowed in certain flood hazard areas.

Do I need a building permit?
Some local jurisdictions require permits for residential safe rooms. Applicants are responsible for contacting their local permitting office to ensure compliance before construction or installation begins.

Can I apply if I’m building a new home?
No. Applicants must already be living in a home they own as their primary residence to be eligible. Safe rooms for homes under construction are not eligible.

How long do I have to install the safe room after it has been approved?
You have 90 days from the date of approval to complete installation. Extensions may be granted only on a case-by-case basis. Applicants are expected to make a good-faith effort to finish construction/installation within the 90-day window.

Can I change safe room manufacturers or the location of my safe room after I have been approved?
Yes, but any changes require additional approval. If you want to switch manufacturers, MEMA must submit an official scope of work change to FEMA.

If you want to move the safe room to a slightly different spot on your property, small adjustments are sometimes allowed — but only with MEMA approval. You must contact MEMA before making the change so we can confirm whether it can be allowed or if a formal scope of work change is required.

MEMA will issue a new approval letter once the scope of work change is approved. Beginning construction or installation before this approval is granted may result in disqualification from reimbursement. 

What happens if my safe room doesn’t pass inspection?
Your safe room will pass inspection if it is installed exactly as approved in your Approval Letter and Acceptance Letter. If you choose a different manufacturer, change the location, or install something different than what was approved, your reimbursement may be denied.

How long does it take to receive reimbursement after inspection?
Once all required reimbursement documents have been submitted and your safe room has passed inspection by a MEMA representative, your reimbursement will typically be processed and a check mailed to you within 60 days.

What if I decide not to install a safe room after approval?
Applicants may decline the grant offer after it has been approved. However, if you were awarded funding and chose not to accept it, you may be ineligible for future residential safe room grants.

Do I need to register my safe room with local authorities?
In some areas, safe rooms installed with a permit are automatically registered with local officials, including your fire department and first responders. Regardless, it’s always a good idea to inform local emergency responders that you have a safe room and its location. This helps them know where to look during a severe weather event if search and rescue becomes necessary.

What happens if my reimbursement documents are incomplete when I submit them?
If your documents are incomplete or inaccurate, MEMA will notify you of what is missing or needs correction so you can resubmit. Please note:

• Incomplete submissions will delay your reimbursement.
• You will be given every opportunity to correct mistakes and resubmit.
• However, failure to provide the required documentation could ultimately result in being disqualified from the program and not receiving reimbursement.

How long does it take for me to get approved by FEMA?
Obtaining FEMA approval involves multiple steps and coordination between MEMA, FEMA, and sometimes other government agencies. Because of this, we cannot guarantee a specific timeline for approval.

• Applicants are encouraged to log in to the applicant portal at any time to check the status (workflow step) of their application.
• Please be patient—the approval process takes time.

Who is responsible for coordinating with and paying the safe room vendor/contractor?
Applicants are responsible for selecting, coordinating with, and paying their chosen vendor/contractor once they have been approved. MEMA does not arrange or manage this part of the process.

Who is responsible for pulling permits?
Applicants are responsible for obtaining all necessary local building permits prior to beginning construction or installation. MEMA does not issue or coordinate permits.