The Oklahoma Insurance Department (OID) has reached a significant milestone in its ongoing initiative to strengthen residential properties across the state, completing the 100th home under its OKReady, Strengthen Oklahoma Homes (SOH) grant programme. Designed to improve resilience in one of the United States’ most storm-prone regions, the scheme is gaining pace ahead of a planned statewide expansion in 2026.
FORTIFIED Roofing at the Centre of the Initiative
Launched in March, the SOH programme provides financial assistance for homeowners upgrading their roofs to meet the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) FORTIFIED Home – Roof™ standards. These enhancements are engineered to reduce damage from severe wind and hail—conditions Oklahoma regularly faces.
Confirming the progress, Insurance Commissioner Glen Mulready said the milestone demonstrated the value of the investment to date.
“These first 100 projects represent real progress in helping Oklahomans protect their homes and reduce insurance costs,” he said. “As one of the most storm-prone states in the country, it’s vital that we continue investing in resilience. We are incredibly proud of this program and excited to expand it statewide next year.”
Financial Benefits for Participating Homeowners
OID reports that US$1 million has already been distributed to homeowners completing eligible roofing upgrades, with each household receiving up to US$10,000 in grant funding. Beyond the initial support, participants are experiencing ongoing savings, with insurance premiums reduced by an average of US$750 per year following FORTIFIED certification.
The upgrades include improved roof decking attachment, enhanced edge protection and water-resistant barriers—all designed to limit property loss during extreme weather.
Pilot Programme Nearing Completion
The SOH scheme is currently in its third pilot phase, limited to select ZIP codes across Oklahoma. These trials have allowed officials to refine the application process, establish contractor readiness and ensure a smooth certification workflow. With the pilot phases nearing completion, OID plans to make the grant available to homeowners statewide in early 2026.
Ashley Scott, Deputy Commissioner of External Affairs and director of OKReady, said the expansion would significantly broaden the programme’s impact.
“With the expansion of the Strengthen Oklahoma Homes Program, we look forward to helping even more families fortify their homes, save money and improve their long-term resilience,” she noted.
Industry Support for Incremental Rollout
Key partners have welcomed the steady progress. The FORTIFIED standard’s developer, IBHS, emphasised that reaching the 100-home milestone reflects a carefully managed and effective rollout.
Fred Malik, Managing Director of the FORTIFIED programme at IBHS, highlighted the department’s commitment to both accessibility and quality.
“The 100th FORTIFIED designation funded by the Strengthen Oklahoma Homes program is a testament to the hard work the Oklahoma Insurance Department (OID) has put into building a user-friendly program that helps families reduce their risk of storm damage,” he said.
He added that the phased approach was enabling market capacity to grow naturally:
“By taking an incremental approach to implementation, OID is allowing the market to grow alongside homeowner demand while ensuring a smooth process for everyone involved. IBHS is encouraged to see more Oklahomans benefit from homes built to a standard proven to better withstand severe weather, and we look forward to even more FORTIFIED homes in 2026 as the program continues to expand.”
Growing Focus on Resilience Across Oklahoma
With frequent exposure to severe storms, Oklahoma continues to prioritise resilience in both public policy and the insurance market. The early outcomes from the SOH programme signal growing interest in adopting FORTIFIED standards, driven by both economic incentives and risk-reduction benefits.
Homeowners seeking further information about eligibility or programme details may visit oid.ok.gov/okready, while enquiries about the application process can be directed to [email protected].
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/eluniverso/ESZCYCVTMHULRF4XLKFETXEN2U.jpg "The phrase about the origins of Argentina, Brazilians and Mexicans is critical of President Alberto Fernandez. International | News")
