Fortify Homes

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Louisiana Fortify Homes Program – Homeowners

A Roof As Resilient As Louisiana

ABOUT:

The Louisiana Fortify Homes Program (LHFP) helps Louisiana homeowners strengthen their roofs to better withstand hurricane-force winds.

The program grants up to $10,000 for homeowners to upgrade their roofs to standards set by the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS).

The completed roofing project must meet the FORTIFIED Roof Standard for the grant to be issued. Grant funding is limited to construction costs.

The program does not permit the use of grant funds to homeowners who elect to fortify their roof without first receiving a LFHP grant.

Frequently Asked Questions Louisiana Fortify Homes Program Map

BENEFITS:

stronger edges

To prevent wind from getting underneath the roof edge and ripping it away, FORTIFIED requires specific materials and installation methods, including a wider drip edge and fully adhered starter strip.

Sealed Roof Deck

FORTIFIED roof decks must be sealed to prevent water damage that typically comes through exposed wood decking when roof coverings are blown away.

Better Attachment

FORTIFIED requires ring-shank nails instead of common smooth nails, which help keep the roof attached to your home in high winds. This nearly doubles the strength of your roof against wind.

Impact-Resistant shingles

For the optional hail supplement to a FORTIFIED designation, the standard requires stronger shingles that can withstand hail up to two inches in diameter, offering better protection for your home.

Insurance Premium Discounts

After the work is complete and the home is upgraded to the FORTIFIED Roof standard, homeowners will be issued a certificate that can be shared with their insurer for a discount on the policy premium. When the house is sold, the certificate can be passed along to the new owner. FORTIFIED Roof certificates are good for five years, and homeowners will need to retain an Evaluator to reinspect the home to renew the certification. Click here for a list of discounts by company.

ELIGIBILITY:

Homeowners interested in the Louisiana Fortify Homes Program should understand the following details and requirements before applying. Click here to view the LFHP Homeowner Rules and Requirements that you will have to sign during the application process. Please Contact Us if you have any questions about these items:

New construction homes, condominiums and mobile homes are not eligible to participate in the program.

Homes on a foundation constructed of unrestrained stacked masonry or stone (dry-stack foundation) are not eligible without an approved retrofit of the foundation.

Only primary residences are eligible to participate in the program. Homeowners should be prepared to verify they have a homestead exemption on the property during the application process.

Homes must be covered by an active residential insurance policy with wind coverage. Homes in a Special Flood Hazard Area as designated by FEMA must also have a flood insurance policy. Homeowners should be prepared to provide proof of all required insurance policies.

Homes must be in good repair as determined by a FORTIFIED Evaluator.

Roof patching or other partial repairs of the roof are not eligible for funding under the program. To receive grant funding for roof covering replacement as part of a recommended Improvement, you must replace the entire, contiguous roof covering.

HOMEOWNER RESPONSIBILITIES:

Click here for a detailed list of homeowner rules and requirements.

Homeowners who have an open insurance claim or had a claim for the repair or replacement of the roof must disclose the claim information during the grant process.

Grant funds are paid directly to contractors. Homeowners are financially responsible for all costs beyond the full grant amount. Homeowners are also responsible for paying evaluation fees for the entire evaluation process according to prices set by the Evaluator.

Homeowners applying for a grant should wait to see if they are selected to participate before contacting an Evaluator or Contractor as the process for selecting professionals is managed through the LFHP grant program. Homeowners who select a Contractor and begin work on the project before receiving approval from the LFHP are not eligible for the program.

Homeowners must ensure that their Contractor understands the procedures and requirements of the Program. The Homeowner should review their Initial Pre-Site Inspection Report with their selected Contractor.

Homeowners must ensure Contractors receive all applicable building permits from the local building inspector’s office.

OTHER IMPORTANT CONSIDERATIONS:

Roof Replacements

If your contractor must remove the roof covering in order to perform any recommended improvements, the program will include the costs of the roof covering replacement in the total project costs.

Improving the survivability of the roof covering might include upgrading to stronger hurricane-resistant roof shingles, attached with properly sized and properly applied roofing nails, to reduce the susceptibility of your roof shingles blowing off in a hurricane. The roof may be replaced with the Homeowner’s choice of covering, such as tile, metal, or shingle. Roof patching or other partial repairs of the roof will not be eligible for funding under the program.

Insurance Claims

Applicants are required to report and provide documentation regarding all homeowner claims filed in the past 5 years regardless of whether payments were received or if coverage was denied.

The LFHP grants up to $10,000 for homeowners to upgrade their roofs to fortified standards set by the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety and cannot duplicate benefits received from other organizations that are associated with the property’s roof.

If a homeowner receives money from an insurance claim that includes funds to cover roof damage, but the roof is not repaired or replaced, the amount received for the roof damage could influence the amount of LFHP grant funds available to the homeowner.

Failure to disclose insurance claim information may lead to ineligibility for LFHP grant funds and could jeopardize any future participation in the LFHP.

More information on the impact of insurance claims on the LFHP grant process.

LFHP GRANT APPLICATION:

The LFHP grant requires that the Applicant-Homeowner have all the following at the time of applying for the LFHP grant:

A homestead exemption on the primary residence.

A policy of insurance that provides wind coverage for the primary residence.

A flood insurance policy on the primary residence if it is in a special flood hazard area.

LFHP staff will independently verify the existence of a homestead exemption using state records and the flood zone of the primary residence using federal and state resources. Before moving to the Contractor selection phase of the grant process, the Applicant-Homeowner must upload a copy of the declarations page of the policy showing wind coverage and, if required, the flood insurance policy.

Login/Create Account

PLEASE NOTE: Homeowners must first create their profile within the Louisiana Fortify Homes system before logging in to register for the lottery. Click here for detailed instructions on creating a profile in the LFHP system.

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EMAIL: [email protected]
PHONE : (225) 342-0111

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