In July 2025, North Carolina expanded its Strengthen Your Coastal Roof program, allocating an additional $20 million to fund grants for homeowners in 18 coastal counties to upgrade to IBHS FORTIFIED Roofs™, designed to withstand hurricanes and severe storms. These grants, offering up to $6,000 per eligible policyholder of the North Carolina Insurance Underwriting Association (NCIUA), aim to enhance coastal resilience by reducing storm-related damage. The program, announced by Insurance Commissioner Mike Causey, Sunset Beach Mayor Shannon Phillips, and NCIUA CEO Gina Hardy, targets counties including Brunswick, Carteret, and New Hanover, with funds awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. This follows a $20 million investment in May 2025 for the Strengthen Your Roof program, focused on the Outer Banks and Barrier Islands, offering up to $10,000 per grant. Since adopting the FORTIFIED standard in 2016, NCIUA has invested over $100 million, resulting in over 15,000 fortified roofs statewide, reducing claims by approximately 35% and damage severity by 23% for hurricanes like Matthew and Florence. Unlike other states, the program is primarily funded by NCIUA’s surplus, not taxpayer dollars, though efforts are underway to secure matching funds from state and federal sources. Homeowners can apply through strengthenyourcoastalroof.com, requiring four exterior home photos and approval from a FORTIFIED Evaluator to ensure compliance with IBHS standards.
