South Carolina Safe Home Grant Program

The South Carolina Safe Home Grant Program, managed by the South Carolina Department of Insurance, is designed to assist homeowners in coastal counties of South Carolina with implementing structural improvements that protect their homes against hurricanes and high winds. Established under the Omnibus Coastal Property Insurance Reform Act of 2007 and later refined through the 2017–2018 General Assembly’s Act 28, the program represents a state-level initiative aimed at bolstering residential resilience through financial support for specific retrofit projects. The Resilient Mitigation Award, one of the award types offered through this program, specifically funds roof retrofits that meet both the SC Safe Home and the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) FORTIFIED ROOF™ standards. These dual-standard projects are considered high-impact, and the partnership with IBHS allows applicants to potentially qualify for additional insurance-related benefits. Qualifying improvements may include strengthening the roof deck attachment, installing secondary water barriers, upgrading to wind-rated roof coverings, and reinforcing structural components such as gable ends and roof-to-wall connections. Eligibility for the program is restricted to homeowners who reside in designated coastal counties within South Carolina. Applicants must own and occupy the property as their primary residence, which must be a freestanding single-family home (not a duplex or multifamily unit). Additional requirements include maintaining an active homeowner’s insurance policy, having no history of storm-related damage or insurance claim payouts on the home, and not having previously received and used an SC Safe Home grant. Grant amounts for the Resilient Mitigation Award vary based on income, project cost, and the applicant’s household size. The maximum amount available is $7,500 for a non-matching grant and $6,000 for a matching grant. Awards are calculated based on adjusted gross household income relative to county or state median income figures, as published annually by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). If project costs exceed the grant amount, the homeowner is responsible for the balance. The application portal will reopen for new applicants on February 10, 2026. Applications are not accepted on a rolling basis but instead during defined windows. Interested homeowners are encouraged to prepare early by reviewing instructional materials, ensuring all documentation is ready, and signing up for reminders through the program’s website. While there is no requirement for a letter of intent or pre-application concept note, readiness and timely submission are critical to success due to high demand and competitive selection. Applicants can expect a streamlined digital submission process via the SC Safe Home online portal. A video tutorial is available to walk applicants through each step of the process. For technical issues or additional assistance, homeowners may contact the program at [email protected] or call 803‑737‑6087. Physical correspondence can also be mailed to PO Box 100105, Columbia, SC 29202. This is a recurring grant program with applications typically accepted at specific times during the year.

Watch the portal tutorial before applying; gather required documents in advance.