Starting Friday, October 31, every homeowner in Mississippi’s 82 counties will have a shot at federal funding to install a life-saving tornado safe room, thanks to reimbursement grants offered from the Mississippi Emergency Management Agency (MEMA).
The Statewide Residential Safe Room Grant Program will reimburse up to $3,500 per household for 75% of the cost of a FEMA-approved safe room, with awards selected through a randomized lottery system rather than first-come, first-served.
How the Program Works
- Funding Source: FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) dollars, allocated after prior disaster declarations.
- Total Awards: MEMA aims to fund at least 38 safe rooms per county. Any unclaimed county slots roll into a second statewide lottery.
- Maximum Reimbursement: $3,500 (75% of eligible costs). Homeowners pay upfront; reimbursement follows final inspection.
- Application Window: October 31 – November 30, 2025
- Lottery Timeline: Drawing begins December 2025; winners notified via no-reply@my.msema.org.
- Do not begin construction before receiving an official MEMA approval letter—doing so disqualifies you from funding.
- Who Qualifies? Homeowners in any Mississippi county. Primary residence only (single-family homes). Manufactured/ mobile homes may qualify only if you also own the land.
- Not eligible: renters, duplexes, apartments, or community safe rooms.
Safe rooms must be:
•Engineered for 250 mph winds
•Compliant with FEMA P-320 (2024) and ICC-500 (2023)
•Installed by a licensed Mississippi contractor (no DIY)
•Permitted through local building officials
How to Apply
1.Visit msema.org/saferoom
2.Watch the official application tutorial on YouTube
3.Submit one application per household (duplicates will be discarded)
4.Check spam/junk folders for notifications
For full program rules, FAQs, and the application portal, visit msema.org.
