News & Events

The Resilient Home Program team recently held a stakeholder meeting in Atlanta, GA to discuss the outline of a "Resilient Home" rating system. Experts from academia, industry and government attended the event. The results of the meeting are being detailed in a white paper, expected to be released during March.

Tim Smail, RHP Lead, addresses the attendees.

Dr. Dasmohapatra and graduate student, Orsolya Bencze lead the discussion.

Resilient Home Program Brochure - Updated

The two pictures below show our new tri-fold brochure. Feel free to download and print them. To save them to your computer, mouse over each picture, right click, and then select "Save Picture As..."

Bridging The Gaps

One of the Resilient Home Program’s 2008 goals was to determine the “gaps” (unmet needs) and priorities in technology (i.e., research) and technology transfer (i.e., education and outreach) in making homes natural disaster resilient.

To determine the gaps, we conducted a survey of more than 400 stakeholders and also performed a thorough review of the scientific and popular literature. The results of our analysis soundly indicate that education and research is needed in four main areas: Mold, Resilient Rebuilding, Resilient Homes and Technology Transfer. Below is a synopsis of some of these gaps and the projects the Resilient Home Program team is undertaking to bridge them.

GAP	BRIDGE
Mold Materials (non-wallboard, non-flooring) for housing construction that resists or prevents mold growth or rot.	The Resilient Home Program team is collaborating with Mississippi State University and Tuskegee University to address this area. Goals of the research include: Develop practical means to retrofit existing homes so that they will be more durable and resistant to flood and water damage Develop measures to effectively mitigate damage from mold or contaminants
Resilient Rebuilding The development of guidelines and/or rating systems for natural disaster resilient products, materials, and practices. Improved and affordable wall construction practices that are flood resistant (e.g., wall systems based on metal stud or ICF construction, “washable, dryable walls,” etc.).	Identify and describe a suite of retrofit technologies, -- consisting of building, methods, products, and materials -- applicable to improving the resilience of homes. Develop a “value analysis” scheme for the identified technologies.
Resilient Homes Insurance and incentive programs to encourage the construction of natural disaster resilient homes. Improved understanding of cost/benefit and cost/impact relationships for both the prevention of natural disaster damage to homes and the rebuilding of the home after the event.	Develop and market a cost-effective national or regional (Southeastern US) certification program for the higher performance of buildings during natural disasters.
Technology Transfer (Education Needs) Roofing materials and practices that withstand wind events. Wall systems (including siding) that protect homes from wind and water events.	Develop educational materials and test appropriate distribution methods for recognized gaps in stakeholder knowledge.