NC INSURANCE UNDERWRITING ASSOCIATION: THE NC BEACH PLAN
Due to the threat of catastrophic loss if a hurricane should strike the coast, insurance companies limited the amount of business they were willing to write for properties in the coastal region. In order to promote the growth, development and economic welfare of the beach areas of our State, the General Assembly created the North Carolina Beach Plan in 1969 to aide North Carolina homeowners on the barrier islands adjacent to the Atlantic Ocean. The independent, non-governmental North Carolina Insurance Underwriting Association administers the Beach Plan, which provides property insurance for home and business owners in coastal areas who are not able to purchase it through the standard insurance markets. In 1998, the Beach Plan was expanded to include the 18 coastal counties for primarily Windstorm and Hail Insurance coverage. Rates for the North Carolina Beach Plan are set by the North Carolina Rate Bureau.
In 2003, the General Assembly passed Senate Bill 769 (Coastal Homeowners Insurance), requiring the Beach Plan to create a true homeowners policy for consumers whose primary residences are in the 18 coastal counties of eastern North Carolina. The Plan previously offered only a fire and dwelling policy, which provided no liability or other needed coverages. The Commissioner of Insurance has authority to approve rates, which are to be no more than 15 percent higher than rates in the voluntary market.
Presently, the North Carolina Beach Plan has formed a subcommittee to investigate premium differentials for hazard-resistant features.
CAROLINA CONCRETE MASONRY ASSOCIATION
The Carolina Concrete Masonry Association partners with Blue Sky Foundation to develop and promote the safe room concept in North Carolina. The CCMA has developed a safe room model for display in shows and exhibitions that features a full size cut-away showing the features of a safe room, as well as a video presentation on safe room construction.
HOME IMPROVEMENT WAREHOUSE HURRICANE AWARENESS FAIRS
Lowe’s Home Improvement Warehouse, in conjunction with the American Red Cross hosts dozens of store-based hurricane fairs each year in coastal markets. The purpose of the fairs is to heighten public awareness and to generate interest in hurricane preparedness and hazard-resistant construction. These expositions include a number of vendors, typically located in the parking lot, which provide hurricane/disaster information and in some cases sell hurricane-related products. Many public sector entities, such as NCDEM, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and the American Red Cross participate.
NC MANUFACTURED HOUSING INSTITUTE
The North Carolina Manufactured Housing Institute (NCMHI) is a non-profit trade association representing many interests in the manufactured housing industry, including:
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Retailers
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Manufacturers
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Finance and insurance companies
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Community owners and managers
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Developers
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Service/supplier companies
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Installation contractors
Manufactured housing makes up one third of all housing starts in North Carolina. It represents an affordable housing choice for many residents in our State. Although manufactured housing is strictly regulated by both the state and federal governments, it has the potential to be more vulnerable to many natural hazards than a site-built home, including flooding and high winds. Manufactured homes are built entirely in a factory, in accordance with federal building standards administered by HUD. The Manufactured Housing Safety Standards Code (HUD Code) regulates the design, construction, strength, durability, transportability, fire resistance, energy efficiency and quality of manufactured homes. Structural load requirements are designed to withstand wind loads. For any hurricane-prone location, MHCSS assigns a higher design wind speed. It also requires walls, window and door surroundings to be designed for placement of shutters or other protective coverings in high-wind zones. The North Carolina Department of Insurance promulgates regulations for installation, foundations, and steps and landings for the homes, including anchoring against wind and flood.
Manufactured housing is found in residential neighborhood settings that parallel site-built housing. Manufactured homes are built for individual lots in both new subdivisions and infill sites. They are also clustered in land-lease communities (previously called mobile home parks), where the individual home is privately owned and the land is leased.
As part of its Government Relations Program, the NCMHI lobbies in the General Assembly and Congress for legislation that will positively affect the industry. NCMHI works with over 19 different regulatory agencies, including North Carolina Department of Insurance, health departments, permitting offices, the Attorney General’s Office, the NC Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, the North Carolina Department of Revenue and the Division of Emergency Management. A representative from the NC Manufactured Housing Institute serves on the State Hazard Mitigation Advisory Group.
In conjunction with the Blue Sky Foundation, NCMHI is sponsoring training for manufactured housing set-up contractors. Contractors receive continuing education credits for the course, where they are made aware of the errors found during research conducted in 2001 regarding manufactured home set-up and anchoring that made the homes more vulnerable to hazards.
NCMHI was very active in Eastern North Carolina following Hurricane Floyd helping communities recover from the massive flooding. The Institute facilitated the provision of temporary and permanent housing for families that had been displaced due to the disaster.
NC HOME BUILDERS ASSOCIATION
Chartered in 1963, the North Carolina Home Builders Association (HBA) is a trade association consisting of builder and associate member firms and a network of local builder associations and chapters throughout North Carolina NCBHA strives to promote safe and affordable for the people of North Carolina, while maintaining the professional standards of its members.
The Association serves as a proactive advocate for the building industry in North Carolina. The NCHBA lobbies in the General Assembly in the interest of homebuilders across the State, and provides recommendations to the North Carolina Department of Insurance regarding building code amendments and revisions. A representative of NCHBA serves on the State Hazard Mitigation Advisory Group.
As one of its missions, the NCBHA strives to improve affordable housing through the North Carolina Construction Training Partnership (CTP). This partnership, composed of a local government unit, the NCHBA and the North Carolina Housing Finance Agency, has a primary objective of impacting affordable housing through new construction or rehabilitation projects. Creating homes that are safe from the impacts of flooding, high winds, and earthquake, while maintaining their affordability, should be a major goal of this endeavor.
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