Fortified Roof
The Louisiana Fortify Homes Program (LFHP) is a state-sponsored initiative designed to help homeowners strengthen their homes against hurricanes by upgrading their roofs to the FORTIFIED Roof™ standard set by the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS). Below are the key details of the program, tailored to assist homeowners interested in working with Acadiana Roof Restoration LLC:
Program Overview
- Purpose: The LFHP provides grants to retrofit or replace roofs to meet the FORTIFIED Roof standard, which enhances resistance to hurricane-force winds (up to 150 mph) and wind-driven rain, reducing storm damage and potentially lowering insurance costs.
- Grant Amount: Up to $10,000 per homeowner, paid directly to contractors after project completion. Homeowners are responsible for any costs exceeding the grant, including permits, inspections, and evaluation fees (typically $300-$500.
- Funding: The program is funded with approximately $30 million, aiming to fortify around 3,000 homes. As of February 2025, about 1,800 grants have been awarded, with at least $10 million in unspent funds carried over.
- Home Condition: The home must be in good repair, as determined by a FORTIFIED Evaluator.
Exclusions: New construction homes, condominiums, and mobile homes are not eligible. Duplexes may qualify if they are the primary residence with a homestead exemption.
Eligibility Requirements
To qualify for the LFHP, homeowners must meet the following criteria:
Insurance: Proof of an active residential insurance policy with wind coverage is required. If the home is in a FEMA-designated Special Flood Hazard Area, proof of flood insurance is also needed. Contact your insurance agent to confirm coverage.
Primary Residence: The home must be the homeowner’s primary residence with a verified homestead exemption.
Geographic Restrictions: The February 2025 grant round is limited to residents of Louisiana’s Coastal Zone (including parishes like Ascension, Jefferson, Orleans, and Terrebonne) and the cities of Lake Charles, Sulphur, and Westlake. Future rounds may expand statewide
Application Process
- Registration: The next registration period opened at 8 a.m. on February 12, 2025, and closes at 5 p.m. on February 16, 2025. Homeowners must create a profile on the LFHP website (www.ldi.la.gov/fortifyhomes) (www.ldi.la.gov/fortifyhomes) and register during this window.
- Lottery System: Participants are selected via a lottery, with 1,000 grants available in the February 2025 round. Previous registrants must re-register. Selected homeowners receive email notification.
- Important Note: Do not contact contractors or evaluators or begin work before receiving LFHP approval, as this disqualifies you from the grant. The LFHP manages the selection of approved professionals.
- Working with Acadiana Roof Restoration LLC
- Certified Contractor: Acadiana Roof Restoration LLC is a trusted, IBHS-certified FORTIFIED contractor, experienced in installing roofs to the FORTIFIED Roof standard, which includes enhanced fasteners, sealed roof decks, reinforced edge details, and wind-resistant vents.
- Grant Assistance: Our team guides you through the LFHP application process, ensuring compliance with all requirements. We handle the installation or retrofit, coordinating with FORTIFIED Evaluators for inspections.
- Post-Grant Support: After your roof is certified, we provide documentation to help you claim insurance discounts (20-52% off the wind portion of your premium) and a potential tax deduction of up to $5,000 (or 50% of retrofit costs, whichever is lower). Additionally, a new law exempts the $10,000 grant from state income tax.
Benefits of a FORTIFIED Roof
- Proven Resilience: A 2020 study from Hurricane Sally showed FORTIFIED Roof homes had 73% fewer claims, 15% less severe damage, and 72% lower loss ratios compared to conventional homes.
- Cost Savings: Homeowners can save up to 65% on deductibles and benefit from lower premiums, making the investment cost-effective within years.
- Increased Property Value: FORTIFIED roofs enhance home resilience, potentially increasing market value by up to 7%.
How to Get Started with Acadiana Roof Restoration LLC
- Create an LFHP Profile: Visit www.ldi.la.gov/fortifyhomes to set up your profile and register for the February 12-16, 2025 lottery.
- Wait for Selection: If selected, you’ll receive an email from LFHP. Do not start work or hire contractors until approved.
- Contact Us: Once approved, call Acadiana Roof Restoration LLC at [Insert Phone Number] or visit www.aroofrestore.com for a consultation. We’ll handle the FORTIFIED installation and coordinate evaluations.
- Enjoy Your FORTIFIED Roof: After completion, your roof will be certified, unlocking insurance discounts and storm protection.
Additional Incentives
- FORTIFIED Endorsement: Ask your insurance agent about adding a FORTIFIED Endorsement to your policy, which covers costs to upgrade to a FORTIFIED Roof after a covered loss.
- SBA Loans: Post-disaster, homeowners can increase SBA disaster assistance loans by up to 20% for mitigation improvements like FORTIFIED roofs.
Acadiana Roof Restoration LL is a Certified Fortified Roofing Contractor for the Louisiana Fortified Roofing Grant. (Regulation 126- Louisiana Fortify Homes Program LAC37:XIII Chapter 182)
Call us direct, or click link below to an external page where you put your information and apply for the grant.
