How to Apply for the Louisiana Fortify Homes Program Grant Before the Next Lottery Closes

By Acadiana Roof Restoration LLC | Scott, LA | Veteran-Owned | FORTIFIED Certified | LFHP Approved

The Louisiana Fortify Homes Program grant is real, it is up to $10,000, and most homeowners who qualify for it miss it because they were not ready when the application window opened.

This post explains exactly what you need to do before the next lottery opens so you are not scrambling when the 48-hour window starts.

What the Grant Is

The Louisiana Fortify Homes Program (LFHP) is administered by the Louisiana Department of Insurance. It provides grants of up to $10,000 to qualifying Louisiana homeowners to offset the cost of upgrading their roof to the IBHS FORTIFIED Roof standard.

The program was funded with $30 million in the 2026-27 state budget and an additional $50 million through separate legislation signed by Governor Jeff Landry, for a total expansion of approximately $80 million. This expansion added thousands of new grant slots beyond what was available in prior cycles.

The grants do not go to homeowners directly. The money is paid to the contractor after the work is completed and the IBHS issues the FORTIFIED certification. You pay the difference between your contractor's total cost and the $10,000 grant.

Why the Lottery Is the Hard Part

LFHP grants are awarded through a lottery system, not first-come first-served. When a grant cycle opens, the application window is typically available for 48 to 72 hours. All applications submitted during that window go into a lottery. Selected applicants receive grant awards. Non-selected applicants are not awarded a grant for that cycle and must wait for the next one.

This means being ready before the window opens is not optional. If you spend the 48-hour window calling contractors, getting estimates, and figuring out eligibility, you may miss the window before you even submit.

Who Qualifies

The eligibility requirements for the LFHP grant are:

Primary residence only. You must own and occupy the property as your primary residence in Louisiana. Rental properties, vacation homes, and investment properties do not qualify.

Insurance requirement. The property must be insured at the time of application.

Income limit. Your household income cannot exceed 250 percent of the Area Median Income for your parish. For most Acadiana parishes in 2026, that threshold is well above the median household income in the area.

Eligible parish. The property must be in a qualifying parish. Eligible parishes include Acadia, Ascension, Assumption, Calcasieu, Cameron, Iberia, Jefferson, Jefferson Davis, Lafayette, Lafourche, Livingston, Orleans, Plaquemines, St. Bernard, St. Charles, St. James, St. John the Baptist, St. Martin, St. Mary, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa, Terrebonne, and Vermilion.

Approved contractor. You must use an LFHP-approved contractor. Acadiana Roof Restoration is an approved LFHP contractor.

Work cannot have started. The roof work must not begin before the grant is approved. Starting work before approval disqualifies the project.

How to Prepare Before the Window Opens

Step 1: Get a written estimate from an LFHP-approved contractor. The application asks for contractor information and estimated cost. Have this in hand before the window opens. Acadiana Roof Restoration can provide a written estimate for your specific home at no charge.

Step 2: Gather your personal information. You will need your name, address, Social Security number or Tax ID, household income information, and proof of insurance.

Step 3: Confirm your parish eligibility. Check ldi.la.gov to confirm your parish is in the current eligible list.

Step 4: Set up a ldi.la.gov account before the window opens. The application is submitted online. Creating an account in advance prevents delays when the window opens.

Step 5: Monitor LDI announcements. Sign up for email notifications from the Louisiana Department of Insurance or bookmark ldi.la.gov/fortifyhomes. Windows open on LDI's schedule, not a contractor's.

What Happens After You Are Selected

If your application is selected in the lottery, the Louisiana Department of Insurance notifies you. You then sign a grant agreement and confirm your contractor. Your contractor must also be registered and in good standing with the LFHP program.

The contractor completes the FORTIFIED re-roof. The work is inspected by a third-party FORTIFIED evaluator. IBHS issues the FORTIFIED certification. The contractor submits documentation to LDI. LDI issues the grant payment directly to the contractor.

You receive the FORTIFIED certificate, which you submit to your insurance carrier to request the Regulation 136 discount.

Do Not Start Before Approval

This point cannot be overstated. If the roofing work begins before the grant is formally approved, the project is disqualified. No exceptions. Acadiana Roof Restoration does not begin any LFHP grant work until we have the grant approval documentation in hand.

If your roof has active damage that requires emergency repairs before the grant cycle resolves, those emergency repairs may need to proceed outside the grant program. Document them separately and consult with LDI about how emergency work affects grant eligibility.

What If You Are Not Selected

If the lottery does not select you in a given cycle, your options are:

Wait for the next grant cycle and apply again.
Pursue the Act 404 tax credit instead, which provides up to $10,000 as a nonrefundable state income tax credit with no lottery.
Proceed with the FORTIFIED re-roof using the Act 473 deduction, which provides a 50 percent deduction on costs up to $10,000 with no application required.

Acadiana Roof Restoration can walk you through all three paths.

Contact Us to Get Your Estimate Ready

Call before the next window opens so your estimate is in hand and you can submit the moment the application portal goes live.

Lafayette: 337-999-ROOF (337-999-7663)
Baton Rouge: 225-385-ROOF (225-385-7663)
Schedule at aroofrestore.com.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I apply for the Louisiana Fortify Homes Program grant?

Applications for the Louisiana Fortify Homes Program grant are submitted through the Louisiana Department of Insurance at ldi.la.gov during announced application windows. Windows typically open for 48 to 72 hours. You must complete the application form online with your personal information, property address, and contractor information. You must use an LFHP-approved contractor. Acadiana Roof Restoration is an approved LFHP contractor and can help you prepare your application before the window opens.

Who qualifies for the Louisiana Fortify Homes Program grant?

To qualify for the LFHP grant, you must own and occupy the property as your primary residence in Louisiana. The property must be insured. Your household income cannot exceed 250 percent of the Area Median Income for your parish. You must use an LFHP-approved contractor for the work. The property must be in an eligible parish, which includes most south Louisiana parishes including Lafayette, Iberia, St. Martin, Ascension, and Livingston.

Can I start my roof before receiving the LFHP grant?

No. Work must not begin before the grant is approved. If you start the roof before receiving grant approval, the work is disqualified from the program. The LFHP grant application must be submitted and approved, and you must have a signed agreement with an LFHP-approved contractor before any roofing work begins. Acadiana Roof Restoration will not begin LFHP grant work until the grant approval is in hand.

How much is the Louisiana Fortify Homes Program grant?

The LFHP grant provides up to $10,000 per qualifying homeowner for a FORTIFIED re-roof. The grant is paid directly to the contractor after the work is completed and the IBHS FORTIFIED certification is issued. The homeowner pays the difference between the total installed cost and the grant amount. The program was expanded in 2026 with $80 million in additional funding, adding thousands of new grant slots.

Is Acadiana Roof Restoration an LFHP-approved contractor?

Yes, Acadiana Roof Restoration LLC is an LFHP-approved contractor and is IBHS FORTIFIED certified. We can provide the required estimates and documentation to help you apply for the grant.