Louisiana’s Fortify Homes Program Opens for Roof Grant Registrations

New Orleans – Fortify Homes Program to Open Registration for Roof Fortification Grants

The Louisiana Fortify Homes Program will begin accepting registrations for its upcoming grant lottery on September 2, 2025. This initiative, aimed at assisting homeowners in upgrading their roofs to withstand hurricane-force winds, provides grants of up to $10,000. Registrations are open until September 12, 2025.

This grant program specifically targets low- and moderate-income homeowners living in Louisiana’s Coastal Zone, as well as residents of Lake Charles, Sulphur, and Westlake. The Louisiana Department of Insurance oversees the program and will distribute 500 grants in this round.

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for the grants, homeowners must reside within the designated Coastal Zone, which includes regions such as New Orleans, Jefferson Parish, Houma, and parts of North Shore Lake Pontchartrain. An online tool will be available through the Department of Insurance for homeowners to check their eligibility based on their property location.

A fortified roof must meet the rigorous standards set by the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety, which are designed to prevent leaks and withstand winds up to 150 mph. Homeowners who participated in previous registrations during the September 2024 or February 2025 lotteries will be automatically reentered into this new lottery. However, those who registered prior to September 2024 will need to sign up again to participate.

Registration Process

The registration process requires homeowners to either create or log into their profiles on the Fortify Homes website during the lottery registration period. All applications will be selected through a random lottery system. This ensures a fair distribution of grants for those eligible.

Program Background and Financing

The Louisiana Legislature funds the Fortify Homes Program as part of an effort to combat rising homeowner insurance costs, which have seen significant increases over recent years. An independent review indicated that grants awarded through the program have helped lower insurance expenses by a median of 22%, making the program highly beneficial for homeowners.

Since its inception in 2023, the state has issued more than 3,700 grants to eligible homeowners. Additionally, a recent law, Act 404, now allows Louisiana homeowners to receive a $10,000 tax credit for roof fortification after obtaining certification from a qualified roofer. Homeowners must provide their certification to the Department of Revenue to qualify for this tax credit.

Additional Considerations

While the grants cover a significant portion of the roofing costs, homeowners may need to finance any expenses that exceed the $10,000 grant amount. Furthermore, it is important to note that grants are issued only after completion of the roofing work, meaning that contractors must be paid upfront.

The Fortify Homes Program is part of broader state initiatives designed to enhance Louisiana’s resilience against hurricanes, especially in light of the devastation brought on by Hurricane Katrina. Strengthening homes is not only critical for homeowner safety but also for quicker community recovery following severe storms.

To ensure that the roofing work conforms to the necessary repairs, homeowners must use only approved contractors, who can be found on a continually updated list maintained by the insurance department. Comprehensive rules, requirements, and additional information regarding the program are available on the Department of Insurance website.