FRANKFORT, Ky. — One Kentucky lawmaker wants to ensure homes are better protected against natural disasters.

What You Need To Know

  • State Rep. Michael “Sarge” Pollock, R-Campbellsville, is the sponsor of House Bill 256 — the Strengthen Kentucky Homes Act

  • The bill would create a new grant fund to help homeowners pay for stronger roofs

  • It would also qualify them for lower insurance rates

  • At least 14 states have similar financial incentives for homeowners

State Rep. Michael “Sarge” Pollock, R-Campbellsville, says his bill, The Strengthen Kentucky Homes Act, would do just that by allowing insurance agencies to help homeowners before a storm hits.

“Other states, many on the coast, have begun to build their housing stocks to a standard meant to withstand these severe weather events,” Pollock said during a committee hearing on his bill Wednesday.

The bill, dubbed House Bill 256, would create a $5 million grant program to help pay for what’s called a FORTIFIED roof. That means it would hold up better against strong winds and hail than one installed normally.

“So FORTIFIED puts a secondary water barrier or basically it just keeps the water contract between the two pieces of wood,” said Julie Shiyou-Woodard, president and CEO of Smart Home America, a nonprofit housing and insurance organization.

The grant money could help pay to replace a person’s roof or build one on a new home. Another benefit, Pollock says, is having a FORTIFIED roof would qualify someone for lower insurance rates.

Pollock filed this bill in response to recent natural disasters that have impacted the state, such as the western Kentucky tornadoes and last March’s windstorms.

According to the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety, which created the FORTIFED standard for roofs, at least 14 states have financial incentives for home strengthening measures. 

“You can look into it, get the certification that it takes to show that your roof is approved, and at that point in time, there’s some discounts with your insurance companies. Every company is different, and we’re just the beginning of getting this whole program started in the state of Kentucky,” Pollock said.

Money allocated in this bill would also go toward certifying contractors to be able to install fortified roofs.

HB 256 passed favorably through committee Wednesday afternoon, the bill’s sponsor says his bill will have a few more minor adjustments made before it is taken to the floor for a vote.

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