Mississippi — Harrison County

Harrison County — including Gulfport and Biloxi — is one of three counties where Strengthen Mississippi Homes is open right now.

Phase 1 one of 3 eligible counties statewide
3 yrs minimum consecutive MWUA policy required
$10K max grant, same as statewide
Status, in one line Harrison County — Mississippi's most populous Gulf Coast county, home to Gulfport and Biloxi — is in the current Phase 1 eligible area, but eligibility runs through your insurance policy, not just your address. You need to be an MWUA Wind Pool policyholder with at least three consecutive years of coverage.

Why Harrison County specifically

The Strengthen Mississippi Homes (SMH) program launched with Phase 1 limited to Mississippi Windstorm Underwriting Association (MWUA, or "Wind Pool") policyholders in three Gulf Coast counties: Hancock, Harrison, and Jackson. As the most populous of the three, Harrison County likely accounts for a large share of Phase 1 applicants — but living here alone doesn't qualify you. You specifically need to be insured through MWUA, coverage of last resort for wind/hail risk that most Mississippi homeowners are not on.

Who in Harrison County actually qualifies

If you're in Harrison County but not on MWUA

You're not eligible for this phase regardless of address. The published framework names George, Pearl River, and Stone counties as part of the broader eventual scope beyond Phase 1, with statewide rollout expected around 2027 — but there's no path to apply outside the current MWUA/Wind Pool requirement today.

How to apply

The grant targets the FORTIFIED Roof standard, paid directly to your contractor after certification — see the Mississippi program page for the full process.

Sources

Last reviewed: August 28, 2026