NEW ORLEANS — In your Breakdown: the fortified roof program is back and running a little differently this go-around.
This time, 300 grants will be given out through a lottery system to people living in Louisiana’s coastal zone, and an additional 200 people will be placed on a waitlist.
In the past, the program has been first-come, first-serve.
The program provides up to $10,000 to make your roof more resistant to extreme storms. It is often not enough to cover the entire cost, but does make a significant difference.
Fortified roofs include stronger edges, a sealed roof deck, impact-resistant shingles, and nails that keep your roof attached better.
After construction is complete, you get a Fortified Designation Certificate to share with your insurer for a discount for five years.
Thousands of roofs have been funded in just the first two years of the program.
You can fund your own roof without a grant by choosing from a list of certified contractors.
So, mark your calendar. Registration opens at 8 a.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 18 and closes at 5 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 20.
You do need to register this round even if you’ve tried to get one of these grants in the past.
