Strengthen Minnesota Homes
Current update (08/21/24): The Strengthen Minnesota Homes (SMH) program has not launched yet. The Department of Commerce will update this page as new information becomes available. We do not yet have an estimate for a program launch date.
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Overview
The Strengthen Minnesota Homes program will provide financial assistance to homeowners to improve the resilience of their homes to protect against extreme weather events such as high wind and hail. Eligible homes will be awarded a grant to cover part of the cost of modifying their existing homes to the IBHS FORTIFIED Roof™ construction standard. These upgrades have been shown to reduce the costs of hail and wind related damages by up to 60%. Additionally, homeowners who participate will receive a premium discount on their home insurance upon project completion.
In the 2023 session, the Legislature established a new pre-disaster mitigation program to help Minnesotans upgrade their roofs to make them more resistant to high wind, hail and other extreme weather events. The program, named “Strengthen Minnesota Homes,” aims to keep Minnesotans safer and healthier in their homes and is an action Minnesotans can take to build individual climate resiliency.
Strengthen Minnesota Homes relies on a construction method called FORTIFIED developed by the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety (IBHS). The FORTIFIED standards are a research-based set of construction upgrades designed to enhance a home’s ability to withstand the impacts of severe weather. These standards go above the building code and are designed to enhance a home’s ability to withstand the impacts of extreme weather.
Laws 2023 Chapter 60 appropriates $1 million in planning funds to the agency to work over the next two years to stand up the details of the new program. Laws 2023 Chapter 57 creates the framework for the program and establishes criteria for contractors and other professionals to perform work on homes once the grant program becomes operational.
Chapter 57 also requires insurance companies to offer a premium discount to Minnesotans who upgrade their existing roof, or builds a new roof, to the FORTIFIED standard. Once insurers file these discounts and approved products are available, any Minnesotan with a FORTIFIED roof on their home will be eligible for a discount on their insurance premium.
Grant amounts
The projected grant amount for each qualifying home is $10,000. Note that this grant amount may not cover the full cost of upgrading a home up to the FORTIFIED Roof™ standard.
Homeowner eligibility
To be eligible for the Strengthen Minnesota Homes Program, homeowners must meet the following criteria:
- must be the owner of a single- or two-family home in Minnesota,
- the residence must be currently insured,
- the residence must not be in a state of structural disrepair, as well as have a qualifying existing roof and structure foundation and
- allow for the home to be inspected by a FORTIFIED certified evaluator to confirm eligibility.
Additional information on location and income based eligibility will be added at a later date.
Contractor participation
To be eligible to work as a contractor on a project funded by a grant under this section, the contractor must meet all of the following program requirements and must maintain a current copy of all certificates, licenses and proof of insurance coverage with the program office. The eligible contractor must:
- possess an in-force general liability policy with $1,000,000 in liability coverage,
- possess an in-force workers compensation policy,
- possess a certificate of compliance from the commissioner of revenue and
- successfully complete the Fortified Roof for High Wind and Hail training provided by the IBHS and maintain an active certification. The training may be offered as separate courses.
Roofing Contractors: Use this link for information on the FORTIFIED Home™ Roofing Contractor – High Wind and Hail training.
General Contractors: Use this link for information on the FORTIFIED Home™ Professional – High Wind and Hail training.
Please note that non-profit contractors or contractors affiliated with a qualified non-profit organization may be eligible to have the costs of FORTIFIED Home™ trainings offered at no cost. For additional information, please contact cade.bolen@state.mn.us.
Evaluator participation
To be eligible to work on the program as an evaluator, the evaluator must meet all program eligibility requirements and must submit to the commissioner and maintain a copy of all current certificates and licenses. The evaluator must:
- be in good standing with IBHS and maintain an active certification as a fortified home evaluator for high wind and hail or a successor certification,
- possess a Minnesota business license and be registered with the secretary of state and
- successfully complete the program training.
Prospective Evaluators: Use this link for information on the FORTIFIED Home™ Evaluator – High Wind and Hail training.
Please note that non-profit organizations or organizations affiliated with a qualified non-profit organization may be eligible to have the costs of FORTIFIED Home™ trainings offered at no cost. For additional information, please contact cade.bolen@state.mn.us.
Program Timing
Specific details on program specifics are forthcoming. The Strengthen Minnesota Homes program is not anticipated to begin until 2026 at the earliest. Further information on the program will be available in the coming months.
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