NEW ORLEANS — As hurricane season begins, Louisiana homeowners will soon have an opportunity to apply for state funding to strengthen their homes before the next major storm.

Registration applications for the Louisiana Fortify Homes Program open Monday, June 1 at 8 a.m. The program provides grants of up to $10,000 to help homeowners upgrade their roofs to meet FORTIFIED standards, a construction method designed to better withstand hurricanes and severe weather.

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The program comes as state leaders continue searching for ways to reduce insurance costs across Louisiana.

“When a critical mass of homes are fortified, property insurance rates drop,” Governor Jeff Landry said during a news conference this week.

According to the Louisiana Department of Insurance, homeowners who receive a fortified roof may qualify for insurance discounts because the roofs are designed to reduce damage during storms.

But what exactly is a fortified roof?

Marguerite Oestreicher, executive director of Habitat for Humanity, says many of the upgrades are not visible from the ground.

“It looks like a regular roof, but you’ll have a wider starter edge on the roof,” Oestreicher said. “When roof decking is applied, you’ll have a stronger adhesive where those panels fit together” to help prevent water intrusion.

The goal is to create a stronger connection between roofing materials and the home’s structure, making it more resistant to high winds and heavy rain.

For homeowner Diane Bush, the benefits have gone beyond storm protection.

“Everything is better, the house is cooler,” Bush said.

Bush received her fortified roof through Habitat for Humanity and said she has noticed lower utility costs since the upgrade. She also expects to see savings on her insurance premiums.

State Representative Paul Sawyer, who has supported expanding the Fortify Homes Program, says those savings are one reason lawmakers continue to invest in the initiative.

“Because of that fortified roof, your house is stronger, and you’re paying lower insurance premiums,” Sawyer said.

Since launching in 2023, the Fortify Homes Program has helped more than 4,500 Louisiana homeowners strengthen their roofs.

Applications for the latest round of grants open Monday at 8 a.m. and will remain available through June 19. Homeowners can find eligibility requirements and application information through the Louisiana Department of Insurance.

For More information about the States Grant Program, click here.

For More information about Habitat for Humanity, click here.

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