Louisiana – Registration for the Louisiana Fortify Homes Program (LFHP) will open on September 18, offering 300 grants to residents of Louisiana’s Coastal Zone, including Lake Charles, Sulphur, and Westlake. This program aims to help homeowners upgrade their roofs to the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety’s FORTIFIED Roof Standard, which provides enhanced protection against severe storms, high winds, and wind-driven rain.

The registration process will run from September 18 to September 20, and homeowners must register during this three-day period to be eligible for the lottery. Unlike previous grant rounds, which operated on a first-come, first-served basis, this round will use a lottery system to select participants.

To participate in the lottery, homeowners must create a profile in the LFHP system and register during the designated period. Those who attempted to apply during a previous round but were not selected must re-register for this round. The LFHP will randomly select 300 participants from the pool of eligible registrants and place an additional 200 on a waitlist.

Homeowners selected to participate in the program will be responsible for having their home evaluated by a FORTIFIED-certified evaluator and paying for evaluation fees, permits, inspections, and construction costs beyond the grant amount. The grant program provides up to $10,000 for homeowners to upgrade their roof to the FORTIFIED Roof Standard.

To be eligible for the program, homeowners must meet specific requirements, including:

• Owning a primary residence with a homestead exemption
• Having an active residential insurance policy with wind coverage
• Providing proof of a flood insurance policy if living in a Special Flood Hazard Area
• Ensuring their home is in good repair as determined by a FORTIFIED evaluator
• Not having a dry-stack foundation unless an approved retrofit has been completed

New construction homes, condominiums, and mobile homes are not eligible for the program. Homeowners are encouraged to review the eligibility requirements and frequently asked questions on the LFHP website (www.ldi.la.gov/fortifyhomes) before registering for the lottery.

The Louisiana Fortify Homes Program aims to help residents protect their homes and families from severe storms and high winds. By upgrading their roofs to the FORTIFIED Roof Standard, homeowners can enjoy enhanced safety and peace of mind.