New Roof Grants for Louisiana and Mississippi: How the FHLB Dallas FORTIFIED Fund Helps Homeowners
Louisiana and Mississippi homeowners already know the value of a strong, hurricane-resistant roof. Until now, most conversations have focused on state programs such as the Louisiana Fortify Homes Program and insurance discounts for an IBHS-certified FORTIFIED roof. In 2025, another funding source is gaining momentum across the Gulf Coast — the FHLB Dallas FORTIFIED Fund, a grant program that can help qualifying households pay for a new storm-ready roof.
This news update explains how the FHLB Dallas FORTIFIED Fund works for owner-occupied homes in Louisiana and Mississippi, how it differs from state grants, and where Southern Home Improvement Center (SHIC) fits into the process as a certified FORTIFIED roofing contractor.
1. What the FHLB Dallas FORTIFIED Fund Is
The FHLB Dallas FORTIFIED Fund is a grant program created by the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas to help income-qualified homeowners install roofs built to the IBHS FORTIFIED standard. Unlike a loan or rebate, this is a grant requested by a participating bank or credit union on the homeowner’s behalf.
For 2025, the FORTIFIED Fund offers two main options for owner-occupied homes in the FHLB Dallas district, which includes both Louisiana and Mississippi:
- FORTIFIED Roof Grant — up to $15,000 toward replacing an existing roof with a FORTIFIED Roof.
- FORTIFIED Construction Grant — up to $7,500 toward a FORTIFIED Roof on a newly constructed home.
These storm-resistant roofs are designed to keep the deck attached, keep water out and reduce wind-driven damage during hurricanes, severe thunderstorms and hail events — exactly the conditions Gulf Coast homeowners worry about every season.
2. Who Can Qualify in Louisiana and Mississippi
The FORTIFIED Fund is targeted to owner-occupied primary residences with moderate incomes. While each application is handled through a member bank, most homeowners in Louisiana and Mississippi will see similar baseline requirements.
- Your home is in Louisiana or Mississippi and sits within the FHLB Dallas district.
- The property is your owner-occupied primary residence.
- Your household income is at or below 120 % of the Area Median Income (AMI) at the time of application.
- The home has a suitable foundation and can be brought up to the FORTIFIED roof requirements.
- You are willing to work with a participating FHLB Dallas member institution and a certified FORTIFIED evaluator.
Exact documentation and income limits are set by the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas and the participating lender. Homeowners should expect to provide recent income documentation and basic information about their roof and property.
If you are unsure whether your income, parish or county qualifies, it can be helpful to speak first with your local bank or credit union and then request a FORTIFIED-ready roof estimate from a contractor who understands the program.
3. How the FORTIFIED Roof Grant Works
The process for using the FORTIFIED Fund is different from applying directly for a state grant. In most cases, homeowners will follow a sequence like this:
- Contact a participating FHLB Dallas member institution and confirm basic eligibility for the FORTIFIED Fund.
- Schedule a roof inspection and estimate with a contractor who installs FORTIFIED roofs in Louisiana and Mississippi.
- Work with a certified FORTIFIED evaluator to document the existing roof and the scope of work needed to meet the standard.
- The member institution bundles your project with other qualifying households and submits a grant request to FHLB Dallas.
- Once funds are committed, the contractor completes the FORTIFIED roof installation and the evaluator verifies the finished work for certification.
In 2025 the homeowner grant portion of the FORTIFIED Fund has been allocated at $10 million across the FHLB Dallas district, with funds released in defined offerings during the year. Applications are generally processed on a first-come, first-served basis until each funding window is exhausted. Because timelines can change as money is reserved, Louisiana and Mississippi homeowners should start conversations with their lender well before they need to schedule a roof replacement.
Grant dollars can typically be used to pay for the FORTIFIED roof construction, the evaluator’s fees and, in some cases, an intermediary organization that helps manage paperwork. The funds flow from FHLB Dallas to the member institution and then to the contractor — homeowners do not receive grant cash directly.
4. How This Grant Fits with State Programs and Insurance Discounts
The FHLB Dallas FORTIFIED Fund is separate from the Louisiana Fortify Homes Program and from any premium credits your insurer may offer for a certified FORTIFIED roof. In practice, that means you may be able to explore multiple forms of support, as long as the same roof costs are not reimbursed twice and your lender and insurer approve the combination.
If you are new to the topic, these resources on our site can help you understand how roof grants and discounts already work in Louisiana and along the Mississippi Gulf Coast:
- FORTIFIED Roof Grants in Louisiana
- Louisiana Fortify Homes Grant — Step by Step
- Wind Mitigation Discounts in Louisiana and Mississippi
- 2025 FORTIFIED Roof Standard Changes for Louisiana
Because every situation is different, homeowners should confirm with their insurer and lender whether a FORTIFIED Fund grant can be combined with state programs or other incentives.
5. Why Work with Southern Home Improvement Center (SHIC)
Southern Home Improvement Center (SHIC) is a certified FORTIFIED roof installer serving Southeast Louisiana and the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Our team is familiar with both state-level incentives and national programs like the FHLB Dallas FORTIFIED Fund, which means we can help you design a scope of work that satisfies the evaluator, your lender and your insurer.
On a typical FORTIFIED roof project we:
- Inspect your existing roof structure, decking and ventilation.
- Recommend a FORTIFIED-compliant system with sealed deck, upgraded fasteners, stronger edges and approved vents.
- Provide detailed photos and documentation for evaluators and grant applications.
- Coordinate timing so your roof work fits within the funding window and local weather patterns.
If you are planning a FORTIFIED roof in Baton Rouge, New Orleans, Slidell, the Northshore or along the Mississippi Gulf Coast, our crews are already working in your area and can usually schedule a free inspection quickly.
6. Your Next Steps as a Louisiana or Mississippi Homeowner
Grant programs change quickly, but the basic principles stay the same — strong, well-documented roofs perform better in Gulf Coast storms and are more attractive to insurers. If you are considering a roof replacement in the next 12 to 18 months, it makes sense to explore every available source of support, including the FHLB Dallas FORTIFIED Fund.
- Talk with your bank or credit union to see whether they participate in the FHLB Dallas FORTIFIED Fund.
- Schedule a free FORTIFIED roof inspection and estimate with Southern Home Improvement Center (SHIC).
- Review how FORTIFIED Fund grants, state programs and insurance discounts might work together for your specific home.
