[StBernard] Governor Kathleen Babineaux Blanco's statement on housing

[Westley Annis]

Governor Kathleen Babineaux Blanco's statement on housing
Housing on priority list for 2006 

"With the close of 2005, we still have our citizens of Southeast and
Southwest Louisiana dislocated throughout the State and the Nation. It
remains our goal to bring all of our people home. I want to thank all of you
who have hosted and cared for our citizens.

"As the recovery from Hurricanes Katrina and Rita moves into the fifth
month, it is important that we continue to give priority to providing
temporary and long term housing for all of our displaced citizens. It is
equally important that we provide housing opportunities statewide in a fair
and equitable way. Each Parish and Municipality should evaluate every option
available within each jurisdiction to provide assistance to FEMA and the
State housing initiatives.

"I will not tolerate discrimination nor should any compassionate citizen of
our state. These citizens are our friends, families, and neighbors who have
lost everything through no fault of their own. We should want to help them
return to their homes. Every state in this country has opened its arms to
our evacuees. It is truly disheartening to hear that some people in
Louisiana are reluctant to assist its own citizens during these
extraordinary times."

Reports of suspected violations should be reported immediately to either the
Attorney General's Office at 1-800-273-5718 or the US Department of Housing
and Urban Development at 1-888-560-8913.

-30-

The Louisiana Disaster Recovery Foundation (LDRF), Louisiana's fund for
Louisiana's people, has been established by Governor Kathleen Babineaux
Blanco in order to support long-term family restoration and recovery and
help provide assistance to our citizens in need through a network of
Louisiana charities and non-profit agencies.

1-877-HELPLA1 (877-435-7521) www.louisianahelp.org