Paying for a storm shelter in Jonesboro

What ended, and what never applied to homeowners

• The Arkansas shelter rebate for homeowners ended in 2016 (Arkansas Division of Emergency Management).
• HB1366, a 2025 bill for a state income tax credit, died in a House committee (Arkansas Legislature, HB1366).
• FEMA hazard mitigation grants go to states and local governments, not to homeowners directly, and ADEM says HMGP and BRIC are not available for individual shelters (FEMA, Safe Room Funding; Arkansas Division of Emergency Management).
• Public and community safe rooms are a different funding path. The grants and rebates page covers that in more detail.

Ways people pay when there is no rebate

We do not broker loans, take credit applications or publish interest rates. Those numbers change by lender and by borrower, so any rate you see in an ad needs to be confirmed in writing for your file.

How to compare quotes and payment offers

1. Get at least two installers to price the same type and size.
2. Ask what is included: delivery, digging or slab work, anchoring, the $50 city permit, cleanup and warranty.
3. If financing is offered, ask for the APR, term, monthly payment, total of payments and any dealer fees in writing.
4. Compare that total to paying cash or borrowing from your own bank.
5. Budget the city permit and any electrical or concrete add-ons from the price guide.

Ways to trim the bill without a grant

• Angi puts garage shelters on the slab at $3,000 to $9,000 and bed shelters at $2,100 to $4,500, against $4,200 to $30,000 for in-ground units (Angi, 2026 tornado shelter cost guide).
• NerdWallet notes a safe room is cheaper to add during new construction than afterward (NerdWallet storm shelter cost guide).
• Confirm the model meets ICC 500 or FEMA P-361 so you are not paying twice later. The standards page explains the paperwork to request.

For the city permit steps, see Jonesboro’s storm shelter permit.

Quick answers

Does Arkansas still rebate storm shelters?

No. ADEM ended the homeowner rebate in 2016 and says it does not offer state or federal assistance for individual shelters (Arkansas Division of Emergency Management).

Is there a state tax credit?

Not currently. HB1366, filed in 2025, would have created a credit and died in a House committee when the session adjourned (Arkansas Legislature, HB1366).

Can FEMA pay for my home shelter?

Homeowners do not apply to FEMA directly. Mitigation grants go to states and local governments, and ADEM says those programs are not available for individual shelters in Arkansas right now (FEMA, Safe Room Funding; Arkansas Division of Emergency Management).

Do installers offer financing?

Some do. Terms, rates and credit checks vary by company. Ask each installer what they offer and get the APR, term and total cost in writing before you sign.

How else do people pay?

Common options are cash, a credit card, a home equity product or a personal loan from a bank or credit union. We do not broker loans. Compare the total cost rather than the monthly payment alone.

How can I keep the price down without a rebate?

Compare the same type and size across installers. Angi puts slab garage shelters at $3,000 to $9,000 and bed shelters at $2,100 to $4,500, against higher in-ground ranges (Angi, 2026 tornado shelter cost guide).

This page is general consumer information, not lending, tax or legal advice. Confirm funding rules with ADEM and loan terms with the lender or installer.

Sources: Arkansas Division of Emergency Management; Arkansas Legislature, HB1366; FEMA, Safe Room Funding; Angi, 2026 tornado shelter cost guide; NerdWallet storm shelter cost guide; City of Jonesboro fee schedule.