IBHS Celebrates Major Milestone with Over 100,000 FORTIFIED Designations Nationwide

In a significant development for storm resilience and community safety, the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS) has announced that its FORTIFIED® program has surpassed 100,000 designations across the United States. This milestone highlights the growing adoption of science-based construction practices aimed at reducing storm-related damages and enhancing community resilience.

Roy Wright, the president and CEO of IBHS, emphasized the importance of this milestone, stating, “Reaching 100,000 FORTIFIED designations signals a nationwide commitment to fortifying homes before calamity strikes.” This program represents not just numerical success, but also the tangible protection of families, the enhancement of homes' ability to withstand severe weather, and the overall strengthening of communities to better recover from disasters.

Understanding the FORTIFIED Program

The FORTIFIED program is a voluntary framework developed based on decades of research conducted by IBHS. It encompasses advanced construction and roofing methods specifically designed to bolster the structural integrity of homes and businesses against strong winds and rain-induced damage. The urgency for implementation of these standards has intensified as more Americans face the dangers of severe weather patterns.

Remarkably, more than half of the FORTIFIED designations have been awarded in the last three years, demonstrating a rapid increase in awareness and participation, spurred by public-private investments and the proven effectiveness of the program during disasters.

Fred Malik, Managing Director of the FORTIFIED program, commented on its real-world practicality, stating, “For more than a decade, FORTIFIED has been adapting to meet the needs of homeowners and contractors, providing a viable method for improving outcomes during severe weather events.” The milestone achieved signifies not only an increase in designations but also a broadened impact on real lives.

Groundbreaking Research Proves Effectiveness

Recent studies have confirmed the efficacy of FORTIFIED construction methods during real-life severe weather events. Following Hurricane Sally in 2020, research conducted by the University of Alabama revealed that properties built or modified according to the FORTIFIED standards incurred significantly less damage when compared to traditionally constructed homes. This aligns with prior IBHS discoveries demonstrating that enhancements in roofing systems and building envelopes can drastically lessen financial losses during heavy storms.

Alabama Insurance Commissioner Mark Fowler noted the importance of these findings, reinforcing the value of investing in the FORTIFIED standard to protect homes and lessen the financial burden of insurance claims.

Driving Adoption Through Grants and Incentives

The expansion of FORTIFIED is facilitated through targeted grant and incentive programs, especially in regions vulnerable to hurricanes and severe winds. For example, Alabama leads in successful designations, thanks to its Strengthen Alabama Homes (SAH) program, which combines financial incentives and improved building codes to encourage participation.

North Carolina has also seen significant growth in FORTIFIED upgrades along its coast, driven by state-administered grants that support homeowners in enhancing their roofs against potential storm damage. Similarly, Louisiana's Fortify Homes Program offers financial assistance to homeowners looking to rebuild or strengthen their homes in disaster-prone areas.

Efforts in other states, such as Kentucky, Maine, and Minnesota, are underway, focusing on establishing mitigation grant initiatives to expand FORTIFIED’s reach.

Partnerships with the Insurance Industry

The remarkable upward trend of the FORTIFIED standard reflects strong collaboration between the insurance industry and construction sectors. Insurers have played a vital role in promoting the adoption of FORTIFIED through various support mechanisms such as research funding, educational initiatives, and providing incentives that help translate scientific knowledge into action.

Gina Hardy, CEO of the North Carolina Insurance Underwriting Association, stated, “FORTIFIED not only mitigates storm damage but also enhances recovery efforts for affected communities.” Efforts to align construction standards with insurance benefits and grants propel the mission to foster stronger homes and reduce losses overall.

Moving Forward

The IBHS is broadening the FORTIFIED program’s scope by including commercial and multifamily structures alongside single-family homes, ensuring that more communities can benefit from enhanced construction practices. As states increasingly adopt FORTIFIED into their funding programs and disaster recovery frameworks, there is every expectation that the momentum will continue to grow.

Roy Wright concluded, “While achieving 100,000 designations is commendable, it signifies a pivotal moment rather than the end of our journey. Each additional designation furthers our goal of creating safer homes and more resilient communities.”

For more information on the updated FORTIFIED Home Standard, visit fortifiedhome.org.

About the IBHS

The IBHS is dedicated to conducting thorough scientific research to identify and promote effective strategies that can strengthen homes and communities against the impact of natural disasters. Learn more about their efforts and programs at IBHS.

About FORTIFIED

The FORTIFIED program provides comprehensive methods for construction and roofing that go above and beyond basic building codes, aiming to protect properties from severe weather threats. More details can be found at fortifiedhome.org.