NC Strengthen Your Roof Grant Program for Homeowners

The North Carolina Department of Insurance offers the Strengthen Your Roof grant program to help qualifying homeowners achieve FORTIFIED Roof™ certification. If you live in a coastal county and meet income requirements, you could receive up to $10,000 to upgrade your roof — at no cost to you.

The program is designed to reduce storm damage and lower insurance costs for homeowners who need it most. By funding the upgrade to FORTIFIED standards, the state helps families build resilience against hurricanes and severe weather while also reducing the financial burden of rising insurance premiums.

How the Strengthen Your Roof Grant Works

The NC Strengthen Your Roof program provides grants of up to $10,000 for qualifying homeowners in designated coastal counties. Here is what you need to know:

Eligibility Requirements

• Income — You must meet low-to-moderate income thresholds based on area median income (AMI) for your county.
• Location — Your home must be in one of the eligible coastal counties designated by the NC Department of Insurance.
• Ownership — You must own and occupy the home as your primary residence.
• Licensed contractor — All work must be completed by a licensed contractor using IBHS-approved FORTIFIED methods.

What the Grant Covers

The grant funds the cost of upgrading your roof to meet FORTIFIED Roof™ standards. This includes sealed roof deck, proper fastener patterns, drip edge, and other wind-resistance improvements. The goal is an official FORTIFIED certification from IBHS.

Application Process

1. Check eligibility through the NC Department of Insurance website or contact their office directly.
2. Submit your application with income documentation and property details.
3. If approved, a licensed contractor performs the roof upgrade.
4. An IBHS-trained evaluator inspects the completed work.
5. You receive your FORTIFIED Roof™ certificate and submit it to your insurer for premium credits.

Priority is given to homes in the highest wind-risk areas, so Eastern NC homeowners in counties like Carteret, Craven, Pamlico, Beaufort, and Onslow are well-positioned to benefit.

How This Affects Your Insurance

Once your roof is FORTIFIED-certified, you qualify for insurance premium credits required by the NC Rate Bureau. The combination of a free roof upgrade plus ongoing premium savings makes this one of the most valuable programs available to NC coastal homeowners. Harbor Insurance can help you understand exactly how much you will save.