- March 14 2025
- New Orleans, Louisiana
Weathering the Storm: How Grant Funding Saved a New Orleans Home
But just when hope was wearing thin, a more than $14,000 Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas (FHLB Dallas) FORTIFIED Fund grant provided critical funding to replace the damaged roof and keep her home intact.
“It was stressful, I was thinking about selling before I found out about the FHLB Dallas FORTIFIED Fund,” Ms. Taylor-Smith said. “I said my prayers, and I was so thankful to receive help from the fund.”
FORTIFIED is a voluntary construction and re-roofing program developed by the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) to withstand damage from high wind, hail and thunderstorms.
Homeowners can qualify for FHLB Dallas FORTIFIED Fund grants up to $15,000 for roof replacements and up to $7,500 for roofs on new construction. These grants are provided through member institutions like the Gulf Coast Bank & Trust.
“FHLB Dallas has enabled people who could not otherwise afford these roofs to improve their homes and reduce their insurance premiums,” said Gulf Coast Bank & Trust President Guy Williams.
In 2024, $4 million was awarded in FHLB Dallas FORTIFIED Fund grants to help more than 300 households in the FHLB Dallas District comprising Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico and Texas.
“The FHLB Dallas FORTIFIED Fund offers a proactive approach to safeguarding homes from severe weather, empowering communities to recover more swiftly from natural disasters,” said Bre Chapman, executive vice president at FHLB Dallas. “By investing in stronger roofs, we not only protect our homes but also enhance resilience for the future.”
In 2025, FHLB Dallas allocated $10 million for the FHLB Dallas FORTIFIED Fund. Visit the FHLB Dallas FORTIFIED Fund to learn more, including eligibility requirements and application information.
