What the Louisiana Fortify Homes Program is
The Louisiana Fortify Homes Program (LFHP) is run by the Louisiana Department of Insurance. It awards grants of up to $10,000 so homeowners can replace their roof to the FORTIFIED Roof standard created by the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS). The goal is simple: stronger roofs mean fewer storm losses, and fewer losses help bring insurers back to Louisiana and push premiums down. The grant pays for construction costs only, and the finished roof must earn a FORTIFIED Roof designation before the money is paid.
How much money is available in 2026
For 2026 the program has about $80 million: roughly $30 million from taxes and fees on insurance companies plus $50 million transferred from Louisiana Citizens' Katrina and Rita bond assessment funds under HB 1187. The June 2026 lottery round offered 3,000 grants. Grants are awarded by lottery and depend on funding, so signing up early and watching for the next registration window matters.
Who is eligible
Grants go to homeowners in eligible coastal and expanded parishes. In 2026 the list grew to include Acadia, Iberville, Jefferson Davis, Lafayette and Washington parishes, plus areas of Ascension, Calcasieu, Iberia, Livingston, St. Martin, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa and Vermilion that were not covered before. Check the LDI parish eligibility map for your address. The home must pass an evaluator's minimum structural check, and you must report any insurance, disaster relief or other money you receive for the roof so the grant only covers real costs. You cannot get a grant for a roof you already replaced: the grant has to be awarded before work begins.
Step by step: how to apply
1) Create a profile at ldi.la.gov/fortifyhomes and sign up for announcements. 2) Register during an open lottery window. 3) If selected, hire and pay a certified FORTIFIED Home Evaluator, who confirms the home passes the structural check and lists the upgrades needed. 4) Use the LFHP portal to get bids from at least three LFHP-approved contractors. 5) Pull and pay for any required permits and inspections. 6) Finish the work within 90 days of your notice. 7) The evaluator verifies the roof, IBHS issues your FORTIFIED Roof certificate, and the grant is paid toward construction.
What makes a roof FORTIFIED
IBHS research shows roof damage usually starts at the edges and spreads once water gets in. A FORTIFIED Roof adds three key upgrades. Stronger edges: a wider drip edge and a fully adhered starter strip keep wind from getting under the roof edge. A sealed roof deck: the wood deck is sealed so if shingles, metal or tile blow off, rain still can't pour into the attic. Better attachment: ring-shank nails in an enhanced pattern replace smooth nails, nearly doubling the roof's resistance to wind. You can use shingles, metal, tile or low-slope systems, as long as they're tested and rated.
Roof cover ratings and the hail option
Asphalt shingles must carry the highest wind ratings (ASTM D3161 Class F or ASTM D7158 Class H). Metal, tile and low-slope systems must be tested for the design pressures at your location. With the optional Hail Supplement, shingles must rate Good or Excellent on the IBHS impact-resistant shingle ratings, built for hail up to 2 inches; metal and low-slope need UL 2218 Class 4 and tile needs FM 4473 Class 4.
How a FORTIFIED roof lowers your insurance
When the work is done you get a FORTIFIED Roof certificate to share with your insurance company for a premium discount, usually on the wind or hurricane portion of the policy. The certificate is good for five years and transfers to the next owner if you sell. To keep the discount after five years, an evaluator re-inspects the home to renew it. Discounts vary by company, which is where an independent agency helps: we compare how different Louisiana insurers credit FORTIFIED roofs.
No grant? Two other ways to get a FORTIFIED roof
You can pay for it yourself: contact a certified evaluator before your roofer starts so the work can be verified. Or ask your agent about a FORTIFIED endorsement on your policy, so if a covered storm damages your roof, the insurer pays to rebuild it to the FORTIFIED standard. Either way, once certified, you can still get the insurance discount.
Common questions
How much is the Louisiana Fortify Homes grant?
Up to $10,000 toward construction costs to bring your roof up to the IBHS FORTIFIED Roof standard.
Can I get the grant for a roof I already replaced?
No. The grant must be awarded before work starts. You may still be able to get the roof certified for an insurance discount if it was built to the standard and verified by an evaluator.
How are grants awarded?
Through lottery registration windows that open periodically. Create a profile at ldi.la.gov/fortifyhomes to get announcements.
How long does a FORTIFIED Roof certificate last?
Five years. It transfers to a new owner, and an evaluator re-inspection renews it.
How many contractor bids do I need?
At least three bids from LFHP-approved contractors, obtained through the LFHP portal.
How long do I have to finish the roof?
The work must be completed within 90 days of the notice from the program.
Will a FORTIFIED roof lower my insurance?
Yes, your certificate qualifies you for a premium discount, typically on the wind portion of your policy. The amount depends on your insurance company.