OKLAHOMA CITY — Oklahoma’s effort to strengthen residential properties against severe weather has reached a significant milestone, with the Oklahoma Insurance Department announcing the completion of the 500th home through its OKReady, Strengthen Oklahoma Homes program.
The milestone represents more than 500 certified roofing projects and reflects growing participation among homeowners seeking to better protect their properties from Oklahoma’s frequent severe weather, including high winds, hail and wind-driven rain.
Through the program, eligible homeowners may receive grants of up to $10,000 to upgrade the roofs of their primary residences to the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety FORTIFIED Home – Roof standard.
Program Supports More Resilient Oklahoma Homes
FORTIFIED roofs are designed to provide increased protection during severe weather by incorporating construction standards intended to reduce the risk of roof damage and water entering a home.
For Oklahoma homeowners, such improvements can be particularly important given the state’s exposure to thunderstorms, damaging winds and hail. Strengthening residential properties before severe weather occurs can potentially reduce repair costs and limit property losses.
Since its launch, the Strengthen Oklahoma Homes program has brought together homeowners, contractors, evaluators, insurance partners and other stakeholders to make resilient construction more accessible throughout the state.
The program’s expansion also reflects a growing network of trained professionals capable of completing and evaluating projects that meet FORTIFIED requirements.
“This milestone belongs to everyone who has helped make this program successful,” said Commissioner Glen Mulready.
Homeowners May See Insurance Premium Savings
In addition to providing greater protection against severe weather, completing a qualifying FORTIFIED project may provide financial benefits for participating homeowners.
Homeowners who receive a FORTIFIED designation may qualify for insurance premium discounts. Earlier participants in the Oklahoma program have reported average annual insurance premium savings of approximately $750 following certification.
Those potential savings provide an additional financial incentive for homeowners considering resilient construction. Combined with grant assistance of up to $10,000, the program aims to reduce some of the upfront costs associated with upgrading residential roofs to stronger construction standards.
“We are grateful to the homeowners who have chosen to participate, the contractors and evaluators who have committed to the FORTIFIED standard, and the many partners who have supported the program’s growth. Together, we are helping build a more resilient Oklahoma—one home at a time,” said Ashley Scott, Director of the Strengthen Oklahoma Homes program.
500-Home Milestone Highlights Growing Participation
The completion of 500 homes represents an important step toward the program’s broader objective of helping Oklahoma communities become better prepared for severe weather.
Preventive construction improvements can potentially reduce damage before storms occur, protecting property while limiting some of the financial consequences associated with major weather events.
Roofs are a significant component of residential storm protection because they are directly exposed to wind, hail and heavy rain. Damage to roofing systems can also allow water into a property, potentially increasing the extent and cost of repairs.
By encouraging homeowners to invest in stronger roofing systems, the Strengthen Oklahoma Homes program is focused on reducing those risks while expanding the availability of resilient construction practices throughout Oklahoma.
Resilience Investment Could Reduce Long-Term Homeownership Costs
The milestone also demonstrates how insurance and construction initiatives can work together to encourage property owners to take preventive measures.
For homeowners, the potential benefits extend beyond physical protection. Qualifying insurance discounts may help lower recurring ownership expenses, while stronger construction could reduce the likelihood of costly repairs following severe weather.
The Oklahoma Insurance Department is continuing the Strengthen Oklahoma Homes program beyond the 500-home milestone, with future application opportunities expected to give additional eligible homeowners access to assistance.
As participation expands, each completed project contributes to the program’s larger goal of creating more weather-resilient communities across Oklahoma. The combination of grant assistance, stronger construction standards and potential insurance savings provides homeowners with an opportunity to invest in protection that could deliver both immediate and long-term benefits.
