State offers Oklahoma homeowners grants to strengthen roofs, enhance storm resistance
An entirely storm-proof home is impossible, but eligible Oklahoma property owners will have more than hope and prayers to protect themselves and their homes against damaging winds, tornadoes, and hail starting next year − and it could help them sidestep the state's soaring homeowners insurance rates.
A new grant program will offer assistance, until Nov. 1, 2027, in paying for building and retrofitting houses to make them more storm resistant after Gov. Kevin Stitt signed the Strengthen Oklahoma Homes Act. The bill, HB 3089, was introduced by state Rep. Mark Tedford, R-Tulsa, and sponsored by state Sen. Dewayne Pemberton, R-Muskogee.
The Oklahoma Insurance Department will offer grants to residential property owners who own and occupy a single-family home as primary residence. The grants are to help homeowners achieve the FORTIFIED safety standards of the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety.
The Insurance Department is creating the program and application process now. Grants will be offered subject to the availability of state and federal funding.
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Insurance Commissioner Glen Mulready said approval of the grant program is especially timely.
"The recent destruction we have seen across our state is a grave reminder why this legislation will be so important to help Oklahomans rebuild and protect their homes from severe weather," he said. "I am grateful to legislative leaders and the governor for understanding our goal to help Oklahoma consumers reduce their homeowners insurance rates and fortify their homes against mother nature."
Oklahoma has the most expensive homeowners coverage in the nation. It costs $5,858 per year for $300,000 worth of coverage with a $1,000 deductible, more than double the national average of $2,601, according to statistics from Insurance.com, an online insurance information provider and marketplace.
In Oklahoma it comes to $499 a month, compared with $217 a month nationally. That's a 10.2% hike over last year here, compared with a 6.8% increase for the nation.
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More certified FORTIFIED roofers may be needed if Oklahoma grant program takes off
The grants will be used to reinforce roofs with impact-resistant shingles and other enhancements to meet the FORTIFIED standards. Many insurance companies offer reduced premiums for homes with such modifications.
Homeowners are "seeking solutions to mitigate these rising insurance costs," Tedford said. "While we cannot control the weather, we can proactively protect our homes from its destructive forces. The goal is to help Oklahoma consumers lower their insurance rates and initiate the process of fortifying homes across the state."
The construction industry will have to step up, said Jack Werner, owner of A to Z Inspections, a certified FORTIFIED home evaluator.
FORTIFIED systems have been used here before, but to a limited measure, most prominently by Central Oklahoma Habitat for Humanity, the charity homebuilder, which stopped when found to be too expensive. Positively Paseo also built several homes to the FORTIFIED standards.
But just "a few local roofers have become Fortified certified roofers," Werner said.
Some details about the Strengthen Oklahoma Homes Act
According to Tedford, Pemberton, and the law itself:
"Under the measure, applications are processed on a first-come, first-served basis, with priority given to lower-income applicants and applicants who live in areas more prone to catastrophic weather."
"The property owner must hire an approved evaluator to prequalify the property, obtain bids from at least three approved contractors, and follow specific retrofitting standards."
"This act does not create an entitlement for property owners or obligate the state in any way to fund the inspection, construction, or retrofitting of residential property in this state."
Implementation of the ... program is subject to the receipt of federal grants or funds or from other sources of grants or funds. The (Insurance) Department shall use its best efforts to obtain grants or funds from the federal government or other funding sources to supplement the financial resources of the ... program that may be provided by the state."
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This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Oklahoma offers homeowners grants to fortify homes against storms
