A National Institute of Building Sciences (NIBS) study determined that every federal grant dollar spent on disaster resiliency and mitigation can save the U.S. an average of six dollars. In addition, NIBS found that for every dollar spent on building to a higher standard than select building codes require could save the nation four dollars.

NIBS studied mitigation measures such as demolishing flood-prone homes; using hurricane shutters and other wind-resistant strategies; shoring up building strength in earthquake-prone areas; and replacing roofs and wooden water tanks for fire resistance. For new construction, the agency’s study looked at building homes to higher standards than what building codes require; following the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety’s Fortified Home Hurricane standards; exceeding seismic construction standards; and building more fire-resistant buildings through adherence to the 2015 International Wildland-Urban Interface Code.

NIBS also projected that implementing resiliency measures and building to stricter codes could create 87,000 new long-term jobs and increase use of American-made construction materials by 1%.

For more information and access to the original study, click here.

Information courtesy of Kim Slowey of “Construction Dive” magazine