For Immediate Release:
April 28, 2025
OKReady Announces New Zip Codes for Strengthen Oklahoma Homes Grant Program
Program to Provide 250 Grants in Second Pilot Launch
OKLAHOMA CITY – The Oklahoma Insurance Department (OID) announced nine zip codes for the second pilot launch of OKReady, the Strengthen Oklahoma Homes (SOH) program. Interested applicants who are eligible and live in one of these zip codes can apply online when the application portal opens at noon on Monday, May 5.
The zip codes were selected using several criteria, including storm data, paid loss ratios and the number of active policies in the selected zip codes. The OID reviewed all zip codes in the Oklahoma City and Tulsa Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs) based on contractor and evaluator availability. The final selection looked at the top zip codes that had factors including paid loss ratios, more than 500 policies in force, average claim frequency, strong wind and hail loss index scores as established by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
“These zip codes represent communities that weren’t selected but targeted in our initial pilot project in Oklahoma City and areas in and around the Tulsa metro that convective storms have significantly impacted,” said Ashley Scott, Deputy Commissioner of External Affairs and director of OKReady. “As we conclude our first pilot project, our team looks forward to working with approved contractors and evaluators and helping consumers make their homes more resilient to future weather events in these new zip codes.”
The goal of each pilot period is to make sure staff can process full applications, address any technology issues and confirm that external partners can handle the grant demand in a new market. The OID will launch several additional pilots through 2025 with the goal of providing a thousand grants by year-end.
Selected zip codes for the May 5, 2025, pilot launch include:
The OID has continued its efforts in developing program processes, evaluating storm data, training grant coordinators and recruiting contractors and evaluators to participate in the new grant program.
OKReady will be allocating up to ten thousand dollars ($10,000) in grant funds per approved household. The grant funding will help consumers pay for the approved construction projects, which will fortify homes pursuant to the IBHS FORTIFIED Home – Roof™ – High Wind designation with the Hail Supplement.
Check out www.oid.ok.gov/OKReady for eligible zip codes, document requirements, income tiers, and other resources. If you have questions about the Strengthen Oklahoma Homes Program or application process, please email the team at okready@oid.ok.gov.