The Disaster Prevention Loan Program formerly called the Project Impact Prevention Loan is a program developed with the help of Fannie Mae and sponsored by the Federal Emergency Management Agency.  This program provides unsecured financing for the purpose of building disaster-resistant communities (i.e. homes and businesses).  These loans allowed homeowners to perform a few of the following:

· Install hurricane shutters on windows
· Replace weaken roofs
· Provide additional chimney and foundation supports
· Elevate homes
· Build safe rooms
· And perform other structural support activities

Details of the Project Impact Prevention Loan:

· $1,000 to $20,000 Unsecured, No Liens
· No Prepayment Penalty for Early Payoff
· Up to 120 Months to Repay
· Rates are fixed for Life of the Loan
· No Minimum Income Requirements
· No Maximum Income Limitations

Program Objective

The main program objective was the reduction of potential deaths, injuries and property damage caused by a disaster.

Project Impact was the driving force in front of the Disaster Prevention Loan Program.  Some of the pilot communities that have participated as National Disaster-Resistant Communities are Allegany County, Md.; Deerfield Beach, Fla.; Oakland, Calif.; Pascagoula, Miss.; Seattle, Wash.; Elkins, W.Va.; and Wilmington/New Hanover County, N.C. 
 
Program Results

According to a Fannie Mae consumer representative (1-800-732-6643) and by reviewing FEMA data up to 1999, this program was very successful in supporting the above objective. 

Disaster Prevention Loan Program – UPDATE

According to the Fannie Mae representative, most calls for program assistance comes in only when consumers are facing a disaster.  The Fannie Mae representative was well versed on the program and its objectives, but said there have been very little activity in this area as of late. 

The FEMA customer service representatives (1-800-462-9029) could offer no information about the disaster prevention loan program.  I was referred to Fannie Mae for additional information as well as to the “projectimpact.com” web site.  No relevant program information has been found.

My assumption as a typical consumer seeking information is that the Disaster Prevention Loan Program no longer exists or is no longer operating in an active state toward making communities more disaster-resistant.