Strengthen Oklahoma Homes: Enhancing Resilience and Reducing Costs

The Oklahoma Insurance Department has achieved a major milestone by completing upgrades to 500 homes under its Strengthen Oklahoma Homes initiative.

The initiative is designed to improve the resilience of homes against severe weather conditions by providing financial assistance to eligible residents. Specifically, the program offers grants of up to $10,000 for homeowners to install roofs that adhere to the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety's FORTIFIED Home-Roof standards. These roofs are engineered to withstand high winds and hail, common in the region. The program's impact extends beyond individual properties, contributing to a more resilient community infrastructure overall.

Statewide Collaboration and Benefits

The program has fostered a cooperative network of homeowners, contractors, evaluators, and insurance companies, creating a broad-based support system for reinforced home construction. This collaborative effort not only increases safety but also reduces insurance costs for participating homeowners. After installing FORTIFIED roofs, some participants report saving around $750 annually on insurance premiums due to their enhanced resistance to weather damage.

Leadership and Impact

Insurance Commissioner Glen Mulready acknowledged the contributions of all stakeholders in the program's success. He emphasized the initiative's dual role in promoting resilient construction practices and reducing the financial burden of homeownership. The ongoing success of this initiative reflects a strategic move toward more sustainable and protective measures in residential construction.

For further information about the program, including eligibility and application procedures, interested parties are encouraged to visit the Oklahoma Insurance Department's OKReady webpage or reach out directly for assistance.