News from the South - Louisiana News Feed
Lafayette looks to zoning changes to address housing
SUMMARY: Lafayette is facing a housing affordability crisis, prompting LCG to consider changes in zoning policies to enable more affordable housing. A challenge arises from a new short-term rental (STR) ban in single-family neighborhoods, which constitute over 40% of the city’s land. LCG is exploring diversifying zoning regulations, particularly moving towards RS-2 zoning, which allows for denser housing like duplexes while maintaining many single-family zoning characteristics. This approach aims to increase housing options without upsetting homeowners. However, resistance remains, especially against any potential changes that might dilute the single-family zoning tradition, potentially impacting long-term urban planning and housing supply.
The post Lafayette looks to zoning changes to address housing appeared first on thecurrentla.com
News from the South - Louisiana News Feed
Warmer afternoons this week, stormy weather this weekend
SUMMARY: Afternoons this week are expected to be warmer, with temperatures reaching the mid-70s to near 80 degrees. However, stormy weather is anticipated for the weekend, particularly affecting Saturday’s Irish Channel Parade with showers and potential thunderstorms. Sunday brings a much drier day, ideal for the St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Jefferson Parish, starting at noon, although temperatures will drop in the evening. A cold front will bring a slight chance of strong storms on Saturday. Overall, enjoy the pleasant weather early in the week, but be prepared for rain and cooler temperatures during the weekend.

Warmer afternoons this week, stormy weather this weekend Subscribe to WDSU on YouTube now for more: http://bit.ly/1n00vnY …
News from the South - Louisiana News Feed
Local Highlight Reel for March 10th
SUMMARY: The March 10th local highlight reel covers the state semifinal basketball match between Lincoln Prep Panthers and Southern Lab in Lake Charles, Louisiana. The game showcased intense competition, with key players like Brillan Brown and Trey Span making significant contributions. Lincoln Prep led at halftime, but Southern Lab rallied back, eventually winning 51-46. The coaches expressed mutual respect after the game. Additionally, baseball results included wins for Christian over Dale High Charter (5-1) and Simsboro defeating Homer (5-4), while Caldwell Parish’s softball team triumphed over Neville (17-2), highlighted by Kaylee Beckley’s impressive performances.

(Includes Caldwell Parish Softball; Boys Semifinal Hoops)
News from the South - Louisiana News Feed
Fortified roof grant program is proving effective in lowering homeowner insurance rates, audit finds
Fortified roof grant program is proving effective in lowering homeowner insurance rates, audit finds
by Wesley Muller, Louisiana Illuminator
March 10, 2025
The state’s grant program that helps homeowners pay for upgrades for a fortified roof is proving effective in lowering the cost of their homeowner’s insurance, according to a review published Monday by the state auditor.
Louisiana Legislative Auditor Mike Waguespack reviewed the Fortify Homes Program, which offers $10,000 grants to homeowners who install hurricane-resistant roofs, and found that the grants directly reduced insurance costs at a median rate of 22%.
Homeowners who received fortified roof grants saved $1,250 on their insurance bill, lowering their annual premium from $5,625 to $4,375, according to the report.
The roof grants have mostly gone to middle-income households. The audit found very low-income households, with home values less than $90,000, are underrepresented in the program.
The state’s grant program is in its third calendar year of existence and has awarded more than 1,800 roof grants since its first round of funding in October 2023.
A fortified roof, according to standards set by the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety (IBHS), is built with improved materials and techniques that can stop leaks and withstand winds of up to 150 mph, lowering the risk of storm damage and typically leading to lower homeowner insurance rates.
Many more homeowners have opted to upgrade their roofs without grant money. As of Feb. 1, the IBHS had issued 5,413 fortified certificates to property owners in Louisiana, according to the auditor’s report.
The state awards grants of up to $10,000, meaning homeowners need to cover any costs that exceed that amount. They also might need to pay for some of the work upfront because the state issues the grant checks directly to the roofing contractors only after they complete the job.
The audit reviewed insurance rating data and surveyed homeowners who applied for the program, receiving a total of 694 unique responses out of 3,257 participants.
The calculations took into account the upfront costs that most homeowners have to provide in order to complete their roof installation. It found that the median total cost of a fortified roof upgrade was approximately $16,229 or $6,229 after accounting for the $10,000 grant.
With annual insurance premium savings of $1,250, a fortified roof upgrade with a 15-year lifespan would pay for itself in less than five years.
About 80% of a fortified roof price tag, or $12,981, is the baseline cost of replacing an existing roof to meet current building code standards. The remaining 20%, or $3,248, is the additional cost to upgrade it to fortified standards and pay for an evaluator to certify the roof.
“In South Louisiana, the benefits of retrofitting to the fortified roof standard generally exceed the costs,” the audit states.
GET THE MORNING HEADLINES.
Louisiana Illuminator is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Louisiana Illuminator maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Greg LaRose for questions: info@lailluminator.com.
The post Fortified roof grant program is proving effective in lowering homeowner insurance rates, audit finds appeared first on lailluminator.com
-
News from the South - Louisiana News Feed6 days ago
Remarkable Woman 2024: What Dawn Bradley-Fletcher has been up to over the year
-
News from the South - Oklahoma News Feed3 days ago
Feed the Children rolls out new program to help Oklahoma families
-
News from the South - Oklahoma News Feed4 days ago
March 6,2025: Rain and snow on the way
-
News from the South - Texas News Feed5 days ago
Travis County DA failed to meet deadline to indict murder suspect | FOX 7 Austin
-
Mississippi Today3 days ago
Judge tosses evidence tampering against Tim Herrington
-
Mississippi Today6 days ago
Key lawmaker reverses course, passes bill to give poor women earlier prenatal care
-
News from the South - Florida News Feed6 days ago
64-year-old woman injured after car crashed into her mobile home in Zephyrhills
-
News from the South - Virginia News Feed7 days ago
The Fishin' Pig opens Richmond-area BBQ spot