Guide to Roof Repair Grants in Louisiana

1. Louisiana Fortify Homes Program (LFHP)

Administered by the Louisiana Department of Insurance, the LFHP offers grants of up to $10,000 to homeowners for upgrading their roofs to the FORTIFIED™ Roof standard set by the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS). This standard is designed to strengthen roofs against hurricane-force winds and other severe weather conditions.

Eligibility Criteria:

Must be the primary residence with a homestead exemption.

Must have an active homeowners insurance policy with wind coverage.

If located in a Special Flood Hazard Area, proof of flood insurance is required.

Home must be in good repair and eligible for upgrade to the FORTIFIED™ Roof standard.

Application Process:

• Homeowners must create a profile on the LFHP portal.
• Registration periods for the grant lottery are announced periodically.
• Selected homeowners will receive a conditional approval and must hire a certified FORTIFIED™ contractor to perform the work.
• The grant funds are paid directly to the contractor upon completion and certification of the roof upgrade.

For more information and to register, visit the Louisiana Fortify Homes Program website.

2. Louisiana Blue Tarp Program

Managed by the Louisiana Housing Corporation (LHC), the Blue Tarp Program provides financial assistance in the form of grants to cover the costs of needed roof repairs and/or replacement for owner-occupied homes.

Eligible Parishes:

• Ascension
• East Baton Rouge
• Iberville
• Pointe Coupee
• West Feliciana

Eligibility Criteria:

• Applicants must be the legal owner and primary resident of the property.
• Property must be 100% homestead exemption in the applicant’s name.
• The property cannot be used as rental property and must be owner-occupied.
• Eligible applicants must have a household income at or below 60% of the Area Median Income.
• Condominiums, duplexes, and townhouses are not eligible.

Grant amounts may vary, and applicants are required to sign a grant agreement, which includes restrictions preventing the sale of the property for a period of two years. If sold within this period, the homeowner must reimburse the LHC the full amount of funding received.

For more details and application procedures, visit the Louisiana Housing Corporation's Blue Tarp Program page.

3. City of New Orleans Fortified Roof Program

The City of New Orleans offers a program that provides up to $35,000 in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds to install a new fortified roof.

Eligibility Criteria:

• Property must be the primary residence located within Orleans Parish.
• Household income must be at or below 80% of the Area Median Income (approximately $65,600 for a family of four).
• Priority is given to residents aged 62 and older, veterans, and homeowners with special needs.

Application Process:

• Interested homeowners should contact Rebuilding Together New Orleans at 2801 Marais St., New Orleans, LA 70117, or call 504-264-1815 for application details and assistance.

For more information, visit the City of New Orleans Fortified Roof Program page.

4. USDA Rural Development Section 504 Home Repair Program

The USDA offers the Section 504 Home Repair Program to assist low-income homeowners in rural areas with necessary repairs.

Loan and Grant Details:

• Loans: Up to $40,000 at a 1% interest rate for 20 years.
• Grants: Up to $10,000; however, if the home is sold within three years, the grant must be repaid.
• Grants are available to homeowners aged 62 or older who cannot repay a loan.

Eligibility Criteria:

• Home must be located in a rural area as defined by the USDA.
• Household income must be below the area median income.
• Funds must be used to remove health and safety hazards.

For more information and to apply, visit the USDA Rural Development Section 504 Home Repair Program page.

Additional Resources and Considerations

• Insurance Discounts: Many insurers in Louisiana offer discounts for homes meeting the FORTIFIED standard—some over 50% off the wind and hail portion of your homeowners premium. Homeowners should check with their insurance providers to see if they qualify for such discounts.
• Tax Deductions: Louisiana provides a tax deduction of up to $5,000 (or 50% of the cost, whichever is lower) for retrofitting an existing residential structure to meet current building code requirements. Qualifying retrofits include a sealed roof deck, enhanced roof attachment, gable-end bracing, and opening protection—all of which are included in the FORTIFIED standard.

Note: Application periods for these programs may be limited and subject to funding availability. Homeowners are encouraged to regularly check the respective program websites for the most current information and deadlines.

References:

• Louisiana Fortify Homes Program
• Louisiana Housing Corporation Blue Tarp Program
• City of New Orleans Fortified Roof Program
• USDA Rural Development Section 504 Home Repair Program