The Fortified roof program is helping tens of thousands of homeowners make their homes more resilient against hurricane damage.

A roof replacement program in Alabama is helping homeowners fortify their homes against wind and rain damage, reports Alex Brown for Stateline. “Alabama’s grant program has helped more than 7,000 residents upgrade their roofs. Meanwhile, as participating roofers and contractors have gotten familiar with the standard, they’ve begun offering it as a part of their regular business. Of the 60,000 certified Fortified homes nationwide, 50,000 are in Alabama.”
With home insurance rates rising around the country, the state began the program as a way to keep insurance costs lower and build more resilient housing.
Alabama has distributed over $70 million through the program since 2016. “The larger success story, state leaders say, is that more than 40,000 homeowners have installed a Fortified roof without state funding” as coastal counties updated their building codes to require them on new buildings. According to Brown, “Other states have taken notice. In recent years, lawmakers in at least five other states have established similar programs to pay for Fortified roofs. While those efforts are still in their early stages, leaders say they hope to replicate Alabama’s success.”
FULL STORY: A red state pioneers paying for roof upgrades as storms boost insurance costs

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program
Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

Ken Jennings Launches Transit Web Series
The Jeopardy champ wants you to ride public transit.

Driving Equity and Clean Air: California Invests in Greener School Transportation
California has awarded $500 million to fund 1,000 zero-emission school buses and chargers for educational agencies as part of its effort to reduce pollution, improve student health, and accelerate the transition to clean transportation.

Congress Moves to End Reconnecting Communities and Related Grants
The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee moved to rescind funding for the Neighborhood Equity and Access program, which funds highway removals, freeway caps, transit projects, pedestrian infrastructure, and more.

From Throughway to Public Space: Taking Back the American Street
How the Covid-19 pandemic taught us new ways to reclaim city streets from cars.
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