News from the South - Louisiana News Feed
Fortified roof grant program is proving effective in lowering homeowner insurance rates, audit finds
Fortified roof grant program is proving effective in lowering homeowner insurance rates, audit finds
by Wesley Muller, Louisiana Illuminator
March 10, 2025
The state’s grant program that helps homeowners pay for upgrades for a fortified roof is proving effective in lowering the cost of their homeowner’s insurance, according to a review published Monday by the state auditor.
Louisiana Legislative Auditor Mike Waguespack reviewed the Fortify Homes Program, which offers $10,000 grants to homeowners who install hurricane-resistant roofs, and found that the grants directly reduced insurance costs at a median rate of 22%.
Homeowners who received fortified roof grants saved $1,250 on their insurance bill, lowering their annual premium from $5,625 to $4,375, according to the report.
The roof grants have mostly gone to middle-income households. The audit found very low-income households, with home values less than $90,000, are underrepresented in the program.
The state’s grant program is in its third calendar year of existence and has awarded more than 1,800 roof grants since its first round of funding in October 2023.
A fortified roof, according to standards set by the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety (IBHS), is built with improved materials and techniques that can stop leaks and withstand winds of up to 150 mph, lowering the risk of storm damage and typically leading to lower homeowner insurance rates.
Many more homeowners have opted to upgrade their roofs without grant money. As of Feb. 1, the IBHS had issued 5,413 fortified certificates to property owners in Louisiana, according to the auditor’s report.
The state awards grants of up to $10,000, meaning homeowners need to cover any costs that exceed that amount. They also might need to pay for some of the work upfront because the state issues the grant checks directly to the roofing contractors only after they complete the job.
The audit reviewed insurance rating data and surveyed homeowners who applied for the program, receiving a total of 694 unique responses out of 3,257 participants.
The calculations took into account the upfront costs that most homeowners have to provide in order to complete their roof installation. It found that the median total cost of a fortified roof upgrade was approximately $16,229 or $6,229 after accounting for the $10,000 grant.
With annual insurance premium savings of $1,250, a fortified roof upgrade with a 15-year lifespan would pay for itself in less than five years.
About 80% of a fortified roof price tag, or $12,981, is the baseline cost of replacing an existing roof to meet current building code standards. The remaining 20%, or $3,248, is the additional cost to upgrade it to fortified standards and pay for an evaluator to certify the roof.
“In South Louisiana, the benefits of retrofitting to the fortified roof standard generally exceed the costs,” the audit states.
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Louisiana Illuminator is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Louisiana Illuminator maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Greg LaRose for questions: info@lailluminator.com.
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News from the South - Louisiana News Feed
Saturday 10 PM Tropics Update: One far-off tropical wave to watch
SUMMARY: A tropical wave near Africa is emerging over the Atlantic but remains disorganized. The National Hurricane Center gives it a 60% chance to develop into a depression or tropical storm, possibly becoming Gabrielle. This system may move northward, staying over the open Atlantic and away from the Gulf, posing no immediate threat. Since the last named storm in late August, stable air, dry conditions, and increased wind shear have suppressed tropical activity in the Atlantic. The next storm names are Gabrielle, Humberto, and Imelda, with only the current wave showing potential for development at this time.
Meteorologist Alexandra Cranford tracks a lone disturbance with a chance of development on Saturday night, September 13, 2025.
News from the South - Louisiana News Feed
Haynes wanted in on Wildlife bribery scheme too, informant says
SUMMARY: Dusty Guidry, a former consultant who pleaded guilty to accepting $800,000 in bribes, testified that Assistant District Attorney Gary Haynes sought involvement in a bribery scheme at the Louisiana Department of Wildlife & Fisheries. Haynes, on trial for conspiracy, bribery, money laundering, and obstruction, was previously appointed to run Lafayette’s pretrial diversion program after supporting DA Don Landry. Guidry revealed Haynes pressured him to include him in a similar diversion program scheme at Wildlife & Fisheries, receiving checks totaling $90,000. The scheme involved splitting bribes among Guidry, vendor Leonard Franques, and former department secretary Jack Montoucet, who has also been charged. The statewide program never launched.
Read the full article
The post Haynes wanted in on Wildlife bribery scheme too, informant says appeared first on thecurrentla.com
News from the South - Louisiana News Feed
OPPJ Comprehensive Plan
SUMMARY: The Ouachita Parish Police Jury is conducting a series of community meetings to gather public input for their comprehensive plan guiding future growth. Police Jury members, including Larry Bratton from District D, emphasize the importance of reflecting residents’ voices in the master plan. Community members participated in interactive stations, allocating resources to priorities like infrastructure and downtown development, to help shape goals for the next 2, 5, and 20 years. Landscape architect Matt Pizatella and partners from Atlas support the effort. Bratton stresses that without proactive planning, the parish risks costly and less beneficial outcomes in the long term.
OPPJ Comprehensive Plan
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