FORTIFIED Roofs
Louisiana Fortify Homes Lottery Opens June 1
Program expands to more parishes
Roofers installing a new FORTIFIED roof on a home in the 9th Ward in New Orleans, La.
Louisiana homeowners can apply beginning June 1 for the next round of grants through the Louisiana Fortify Homes Program, which helps pay for roof upgrades designed to better withstand hurricanes.
Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple announced that registration for the lottery-based program will open at 8 a.m. June 1 and close at 5 p.m. June 19. The state will award 3,000 grants of up to $10,000 each.
Gov. Jeff Landry also signed legislation transferring an additional $50 million in Katrina and Rita bond assessment funds to the program. Combined with $30 million generated through insurance-related taxes and fees, the program will receive $80 million this year.
“By lowering overall losses, we can reduce insurance and reinsurance costs, draw more insurers into the market, motivate existing companies to write additional policies and lower insurance premiums,” Temple said.
The program is expanding eligibility to homeowners in Acadia, Jefferson Davis and Lafayette parishes, along with additional areas in Ascension, Calcasieu, Iberia, Livingston, St. Martin, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa and Vermilion parishes.
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Homeowners who applied in previous rounds but were not selected must register again. Program officials said applicants have the same chance of selection regardless of when they register during the application window.
Selected homeowners will be responsible for evaluation costs and any construction expenses exceeding the grant amount.
The program supports roof upgrades that meet standards developed by the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety.
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