How Can I Finance a FORTIFIED Roof in Louisiana With a Low-Interest Loan?

By Acadiana Roof Restoration LLC | Scott, LA | Veteran-Owned | IBHS FORTIFIED Certified | Louisiana's Only 5-Star Roof Maxx Dealer

The Finance New Orleans RE-UP Loan Program offers low-interest financing specifically for resilience upgrades, including FORTIFIED Roof installations, for qualifying Louisiana homeowners. The RE-UP program was designed to solve the problem that prevents many homeowners from pursuing storm-resilient upgrades: the upfront cost. By spreading the cost of a FORTIFIED Roof over affordable monthly payments at a below-market interest rate, the RE-UP program makes it possible to upgrade now and recoup the cost through insurance savings over time. Acadiana Roof Restoration is a RE-UP Approved Contractor, meaning we can work directly within the program's framework to get your project financed and completed.

What Is the Finance New Orleans RE-UP Loan Program?

The RE-UP Loan Program is a financing product administered by Finance New Orleans, a HUD-approved nonprofit housing finance agency, that provides below-market-rate loans to homeowners making qualifying resilience improvements to their homes.

"RE-UP" stands for resilience upgrade. The program was developed specifically in response to Louisiana's ongoing storm vulnerability and the need to help homeowners harden their homes without requiring full upfront payment. The loans are structured to be affordable: low interest rates, reasonable terms, and no prepayment penalties for homeowners who pay off early.

The program targets homeowners who:

Own and occupy their home as their primary residence

Meet income eligibility requirements

Are making an approved resilience upgrade (including FORTIFIED Roof installations)

Work with a RE-UP Approved Contractor

Who Qualifies for a RE-UP Loan?

Qualification is based on three factors: ownership, occupancy, and income.

Ownership and occupancy. You must own the home and live in it as your primary residence. Investment properties and rental properties are not eligible.

Income eligibility. The RE-UP program uses area median income (AMI) thresholds to determine eligibility and loan terms. Homeowners below certain income thresholds may qualify for the most favorable rates. Finance New Orleans publishes current income limits on their website, eligibility varies by household size and parish.

Approved scope of work. The improvement must qualify as a resilience upgrade. FORTIFIED Roof installations are a qualifying use. Other examples include window and door upgrades, generator installations, and flood mitigation improvements, but roofing is one of the most common and impactful uses given Louisiana's storm exposure.

How Does the RE-UP Loan Work Alongside the Louisiana Fortify Homes Program Grant?

The RE-UP loan and the Louisiana Fortify Homes Program (LFHP) $10,000 grant are not mutually exclusive. Homeowners who qualify for the LFHP grant can use the grant to cover a portion of the upgrade cost and finance the remainder through the RE-UP program.

Here's how a combined scenario might look for a Lafayette homeowner:

Item Amount

FORTIFIED Roof total project cost $14,000

LFHP grant (if selected), $10,000

Remaining balance to finance $4,000

RE-UP loan (low-interest, fixed term) $4,000

Annual insurance savings (est. 20% on $4,800 premium) $960

Monthly insurance savings $80

In this scenario, the remaining financed balance is small enough that the monthly loan payment may be partially or fully offset by the monthly insurance savings, meaning the upgrade can effectively pay for itself in real time.

For homeowners who don't receive the LFHP grant or are moving forward without it, the RE-UP loan covers the full project cost at a rate significantly below what a personal loan or home equity line would typically carry.

What Does RE-UP Financing Cost Compared to Other Options?

Louisiana homeowners financing a FORTIFIED Roof have several options. Here's how RE-UP generally compares:

Financing Option Typical Interest Rate Notes

RE-UP Loan (Finance New Orleans) Below market (varies by income) Nonprofit program; HUD-backed underwriting

Home equity line of credit (HELOC) Variable, currently 8, 10%+ Requires equity; variable rate risk

Personal loan (bank/credit union) 10, 18% depending on credit No collateral required but higher rate

Contractor financing (third-party) Varies widely Read terms carefully; some carry deferred interest

Cash / out-of-pocket 0% Fastest path to insurance savings

For income-qualifying homeowners, the RE-UP loan typically carries the lowest available rate outside of cash payment, and unlike cash payment, it preserves your liquidity for other needs.

How Do I Apply for a RE-UP Loan?

The process involves Finance New Orleans directly, and Acadiana Roof Restoration handles the contractor side:

Step 1: Pre-qualify with Finance New Orleans. Contact Finance New Orleans at financeneworleans.com to confirm your income eligibility, review the current loan terms, and begin the application. They will ask for proof of homeownership, income documentation, and information about the planned improvement.

Step 2: Get a project estimate from a RE-UP Approved Contractor. Finance New Orleans requires that the work be performed by an approved contractor. Acadiana Roof Restoration is a RE-UP Approved Contractor. We can provide a detailed estimate that Finance New Orleans uses to size and approve the loan.

Step 3: Loan approval and project scheduling. Once your loan is approved and contractor documentation is submitted, you coordinate the project schedule with Acadiana Roof Restoration. Finance New Orleans disburses funds directly.

Step 4: FORTIFIED installation and evaluation. We complete the IBHS FORTIFIED-compliant installation, arrange for an independent IBHS evaluator to inspect and certify the work, and you receive your IBHS FORTIFIED certificate.

Step 5: Submit certificate to your insurer. Under Act 533, your insurance company is required to apply a qualifying discount at your next renewal. Your monthly savings begin.

Is RE-UP Financing Available Across All of South Louisiana?

Finance New Orleans administers the RE-UP program with a focus on the greater New Orleans metropolitan area and surrounding parishes. Availability may vary by parish, contact Finance New Orleans directly to confirm your address qualifies.

Acadiana Roof Restoration serves homeowners across South Louisiana, Lafayette, Baton Rouge, Lake Charles, Houma, Alexandria, and surrounding communities. If RE-UP financing is not available in your parish, we can discuss other financing options and help you explore the LFHP grant if you haven't already pursued that path.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the maximum loan amount under the RE-UP program?

Loan limits are set by Finance New Orleans and may vary based on the project scope, your income tier, and current program parameters. Contact Finance New Orleans directly for current maximum loan amounts, these are updated periodically.

Does using a RE-UP loan affect my ability to apply for the LFHP $10,000 grant?

The two programs serve different purposes (one is a loan, one is a grant) and are generally compatible. However, verify with both Finance New Orleans and the Louisiana Department of Insurance that your specific situation allows for both, as program rules can change with new funding rounds.

How long does RE-UP loan approval take?

Processing time varies. Finance New Orleans is a nonprofit lender, and processing times are typically longer than a bank personal loan but shorter than a traditional mortgage. Plan for 2, 4 weeks from application to approval, though your experience may vary.

Does Acadiana Roof Restoration charge more for RE-UP financed projects?

No. Our pricing is the same whether you're paying cash, using the LFHP grant, using RE-UP financing, or using another financing method. The RE-UP approval simply changes how payment is structured and who disburses funds, it doesn't affect the project cost.

What happens to my RE-UP loan if I sell my home before it's paid off?

This depends on the specific loan terms set by Finance New Orleans. Some resilience loan programs allow the loan to be paid off at closing from sale proceeds, similar to a home equity loan. Confirm the payoff provisions directly with Finance New Orleans before signing.