[StBernard] Winding Road Home program creates heavy decisions

[Westley Annis]

By CityBusiness Editor Terry O'Connor COMMENTARY

2006-10-05 4:01 PM CST 

The road is long 
With many a winding turn 
That leads us to who knows where, 
Who knows where. 
  
The Road Home released its first payout figures this week to the statewide
media. And Road Home officials have managed to close out and take care of
all of 13 homeowners so far. 
  
For a program that has had $7.5 billion or so since August, this slow
release of funding is confounding to some. But it can't just be blamed on
red tape. 
  
So on we go. 
His welfare is of my concern. 
No burden is he to bear, 
We'll get there. 
For I know 
He would not encumber me. 
He ain't heavy, he's my brother. 
  
Only 33,883 of the 123,000 Louisiana homeowners eligible for The Road Home
program had applied as of Tuesday for awards ranging up to $150,000. That's
a lot of money to leave on the table - yet 72.5 percent of Louisiana
homeowners have so far chosen to do just that. 
  
The Road Home is the largest housing recovery program in U.S. history.
Officials keep saying it is designed to help residents of Louisiana affected
by hurricanes Katrina and Rita get back into their homes as quickly and
fairly as possible. But most homeowners are unsure that's what they want to
do. They need help deciding if they want to rejoin neighbors already in the
thick of rebuilding. 
  
If I'm laden at all, 
I'm laden with sadness 
That everyone's heart 
Isn't filled with the gladness 
Of love for one another. 
  
The Road Home last week began sending about 4,000 letters a day to
homeowners whose applications have been submitted and reviewed. 
  
The letters are key. Don't leave home for a Road Home appointment without
it. 
Homeowners OK'd by The Road Home team will receive a letter in the mail with
detailed instructions on how to schedule an appointment. With invitation
letter in hand, homeowners can schedule appointment times at the center of
their choice. Even though The Road Home officials say they can handle 1,000
appointments per day, it pays to be flexible on appointment times. 
  
The whole Road Home process takes about two months, which is equivalent to
the time it takes to close on a home. This is a big reason why so few loan
applications have been closed so far. 
  
But having homeowners return to New Orleans is critical to the city's
recovery. Crescent City homeowner indecision on whether to come back
reflects a number of factors: 
  
- Low confidence in the recovery. The weak levees, crumbling roads, reduced
city services such as garbage pickup and criminal justice all combine to
reduce the desirability of living in New Orleans. 
  
- Small Business Administration loans conflict with The Road Home money. The
SBA requires its loans repaid in full from any Road Home proceeds, which
causes many rebuilding homeowners to rethink whether The Road Home money is
worth it in their particular case. 
  
- Registration is confusing and redundant. Homeowners who complain about
invasive information requests are told by The Road Home officials that the
information is not required. So why ask for it then? 
  
It's a long, long road 

>From which there is no return. 

While we're on the way to there, 
Why not share? 
And the load 
Doesn't weigh me down at all. 
He ain't heavy, he's my brother. 
  
With a nod to the Hollies, whose 1970 hit peaked at No. 7, this is what The
Road Home officials must continue to do: Help our brothers and sisters
figure out where their winding recovery road should lead. And do it as
quickly as possible. 
  
I could have approved 13 applications myself by now. 
  
Application preparation 
  
Homeowners must apply online or submit a hard copy application to The Road
Home whether or not they registered with the Louisiana Recovery Authority. 
  
To start your application, visit www.road2LA.org or call (888) 762-3252).
Homeowners who received a letter from The Road Home program instructing them
to do so can call (888) ROAD2LA to schedule an appointment at any of 10
housing assistance centers located across Louisiana