KEY TAKEAWAYS: Louisiana awarded 6,062 grants totaling $60.3 million through Nov. 6. Homeowners can receive up to $10,000 for roof upgrades. In the ninth funding round, 574 roofs have been installed and certified, 871 projects are under contract, under construction or awaiting certification, a nd 2,110 grants remain available. A 2025 state audit found median annual insurance savings of $1,250, or 22%. The median roof upgrade cost $16,229, leaving about $6,229 for homeowners who received the maximum grant. Louisiana expects $80 million for Fortify Homes this year, with another $20 million in federal funding directed to a separate roof replacement initiative.   Louisiana has awarded more than $60 million in grants to help homeowners install hurricane-resistant roofs, with thousands of additional projects underway or awaiting approval, according to the latest figures from the Louisiana Department of Insurance. As of Nov. 6, the department had awarded 6,062 grants totaling $60.3 million through the Louisiana Fortify Homes Program, which provides homeowners with up to $10,000 to strengthen their roofs against hurricanes and other severe weather. The figures were revealed Thursday at the Louisiana Resilience Task Force by Barrow Peacock, Chief Deputy Commissioner of the Department. The program is currently in its ninth round of funding, supported by a $30 million allocation for the 2026-27 fiscal year. Of those grants, 574 have been completed, meaning the roofs have been installed and certified. Another 871 projects are under contract, under construction or awaiting certification, while 2,110 grants remain available. The department has also disapproved 404 applications. “At the current rate of application processing, roof installations are projected to be completed in early to late spring 2027,” the department said. Established by the Legislature in 2022 and launched in 2023, the program aims to reduce hurricane-related property damage and homeowners insurance costs by helping residents upgrade their roofs to standards established by the Insurance Institute for Business Home Safety. The standards require stronger roof attachments, reinforced edges and improved water barriers designed to withstand high winds and reduce water intrusion. The program has become a central component of Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple’s efforts to stabilize Louisiana’s property insurance market, which has struggled with rising premiums and insurers withdrawing from the state. A 2025 analysis by the Louisiana Legislative Auditor found that participating homeowners experienced a median annual insurance savings of $1,250, or 22%, after installing fortified roofs. However, the median cost of upgrading a roof was $16,229, leaving homeowners responsible for approximately $6,229 after receiving the maximum state grant. The analysis also found that very low-income households were underrepresented among grant recipients, raising questions about whether the program adequately reaches homeowners least able to afford roof replacements. State lawmakers have substantially expanded funding for the initiative. Earlier this year, Gov. Jeff Landry signed legislation allowing Louisiana Citizens Property Insurance Corporation to transfer $50 million in surplus funds from Hurricane Katrina and Rita bond assessments into the program. Combined with $30 million generated through insurance-related taxes and fees, the department expects to receive $80 million in funding this year. An additional $20 million in federal funding has been directed toward a separate roof replacement initiative administered by the Louisiana Office of Community Development, bringing the state’s announced investments in fortified roofing initiatives this year to $100 million. ...read more read less