WHNT | A Storm Shelter Tax Credit Initiative
The April 27th tornadoes affected the Tennessee Valley deeply and the loss of life and widespread devastation was immense. Over the last two months, WHNT News 19 quickly became aware that there was a common theme in many of the survivor stories. They sought refuge in storm shelters.
That fact led WHNT News 19’s Station Manager & News Director Denise Vickers and Chief Investigator Carrie Marchese to our nation’s capital. WHNT News 19 believes more families would invest in shelters if there was a way to help make them more affordable, and so our initiative on storm shelter tax credits was born.
WHNT News 19’s Denise Vickers crafted a letter of intent and hand delivered it to members of the Alabama congressional delegation. The letter's sole purpose is to save lives in the future and outlined two proposals. The first asks Congress to pass an individual tax credit. This would allow for a limited tax credit for property owners who install a federally-approved storm shelter. The second was for storm shelters to be a requirement in mobile home parks.
Our first proposal was well received by Congressman Robert Aderholt, who represents Alabama's Fourth District. The Congressman was in full support of our initiative after visiting the devastated areas first hand.
“As we saw in these last storms that went through, unless you were in a house that was built out of steel and enforced in concrete, it wouldn't have mattered what kind of house you were in.”
We asked the Congressman if he would back our cause, and his response was encouraging.
“I would certainly be open to sponsoring something like that," said Aderholt, "because this is not where you are mandating the federal government to spend this money.”
An important point because right now, FEMA is offering funding for safe rooms in Madison County. However, at this time, no funds have been announced for Madison County. Once funding has been awarded, applicants will be contacted in the numerical order in which their application was received. But there is no guarantee who gets the grant money and when it will arrive. An individual tax credit would be an easier way of giving the power back to the people and would essentially be an incentive to act.
Costs for construction of storm shelters vary across the United States. The cost to build a safe room can range from approximately $6,500 to $8,500. This cost range is applicable to the basic designs in FEMA 320 that provide an 8-foot by 8-foot safe room (approximately 64 square feet of protected space).
WHNT News 19’s second visit was with Congressman Mo Brooks, who represents Alabama's Fifth Congressional District. Brooks also gave us a favorable response.
“Personally, I like the idea of people receiving tax credits or tax deductions for expenses associated with storm shelters, which are much needed in many parts of the country," said Brooks. "Ultimately, we'll have to see if the votes are there."
WHNT News 19 urged Congressmen Aderholt and Brooks to act swiftly before the next twister strikes our state. Both lawmakers gave us reason to be hopeful about our tax credit initiative, but so far, none of the north Alabama delegation has committed to sponsor it. We have also sent the letters to Alabama's two U.S. Senators, Richard Shelby and Jeff Sessions.
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