Strengthen Alabama Homes grant applications opened Wednesday for Alabamians. While the grants have all been filled at this time, there are three other grant periods this year.
The grants provide up to $10,000 to homeowners who qualify to upgrade their single-family residences to protect from wind damage.
By helping protect homes across Alabama, the goal of the program is to also lower home insurance rates across the state.
The FORTIFIED Standard is a program to strengthen homes against wind damage. There are 3 levels of the program, according to Strengthen Alabama Homes; Roof, Silver and Gold.
- Roof
- SILVER: Roof requirements plus openings, attached structures such as porches or carports, and the bracing of gable ends
- GOLD: Pressure-rated windows and doors, chimneys
- have a home in good repair
- provide proof that you have a homeowner insurance policy
- have flood insurance if you are in a special flood hazard area
- pay out-of-pocket for a home evaluation from a certified FORTIFIED Evaluator approved by the grant program
- provide proof you have a wind insurance policy after completion of the work
- After qualifying, applicants will choose three contractors to do the work. Contracts are between the contractors and the homeowners, according to FORTIFIED.
The grant is for $10,000 and the homeowner pays for any work beyond that. If a homeowner doesn’t get wind insurance after completion of the work, they are also responsible for paying for all of the construction.
There are four rounds for grants in 2024:
- Jan. 3
- April 1
- July 1
- Oct. 1
Applications are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.