The Minnesota Legislature is making a new push to approve money for a program it created — but never funded — to help residents upgrade their homes to protect against damage from extreme weather.
The Strengthen Minnesota Homes grant program was established in 2023 to reduce property damage and property-insurance costs by helping residents pay for features such as wind-resistant roofs. But like similar programs in other states, it has never received state funding to begin distributing grants.
“Good intentions are not enough to future-proof our communities and ensure reliable insurance markets,” said Rob Moore, director of climate adaptation at the Natural Resources Defense Council, referring to states that have not funded “well-intentioned” home-protection programs.
Strengthen Minnesota Homes, with only $1 million in state funding, has failed to win legislative approval for tens of millions in grant money since its creation.
