[StBernard] HUD Approves Louisiana's $200 Million Long Term Community Recovery Program

[Westley Annis]

HUD Approves Louisiana's $200 Million Long Term Community Recovery Program


Move clears the way for parishes to access funds for local recovery projects


BATON ROUGE, La. (August 30, 2007)-Today the Louisiana Recovery Authority (LRA) and the Division of Administration's Office of Community Development (OCD) learned that the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has approved Louisiana's action plan to implement the Long Term Community Recovery Program. Conceived by the LRA and implemented by the OCD, this $200 million program provides funds that will support the implementation of local long-term recovery plans in the most heavily impacted communities in the state. 

"As we continue to pave the road to recovery, these much needed funds will help local parishes and municipalities implement recovery projects that will ultimately make our communities safer and stronger than they were before," said LRA Infrastructure and Transportation Task Force Chair John T. Landry. 

The funding is part of $10.4 billion in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds that have been alloc! ated to Louisiana to implement housing, economic development, and infrastructure projects that will speed their recovery. 

Funds from the $200 million Long Term Community Recovery Program will be distributed among parishes in the most heavily impacted areas of the state according to a formula that is based on estimated housing and infrastructure damages inflicted by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. The formula was agreed to by local officials and approved by the LRA Board of Directors earlier this year. 

"These funds, although not nearly enough to address the magnitude of the recovery issues we face, will help communities begin to fund local high priority recovery projects," said Suzie Elkins, Executive Director, Office of Community Development. "We appreciate HUD's working with us to gain approval of this program so the State can continue to move forward in its rebuilding efforts."

Eligible parishes can access these funds by submitting locally ! developed recovery plans for approval by the LRA Board of Directors an d implementation by the OCD. Plans must be developed with input from citizens and local community leaders and must identify and prioritize projects that will speed the recovery.


In June 2007, the LRA Board officially received the Unified New Orleans Plan (UNOP) and approved the New Orleans Strategic Recovery and Redevelopment Plan, which cleared the way for the City of New Orleans to access $117 million in CDBG funds through this program. 

The Board also approved proposals from St. Bernard and Vermilion, providing $26.03 million and $2.2 million respectively to the parishes for their long-term community recovery planning efforts. 

*	The HUD approved Action Plan Amendment creating this program is available online at http://www.doa.louisiana.gov/cdbg/dr/plans/Amend12-Approved_07-08-17.pdf <http://www.doa.louisiana.gov/cdbg/dr/plans/Amend12-Approved_07-08-17.pdf> . 

About the Louisiana Recovery Authority

The Louisiana Recovery Authority is the planning and coordinating body that was created in the aftermath of hurricanes Katrina and Rita by Governor Kathleen Babineaux Blanco to plan for the recovery and rebuilding of Louisiana. The authority is working with Governor Blanco to plan for Louisiana's future, coordinate across jurisdictions, support community recovery and resurgence, and ensure integrity and effectiveness. Working in collaboration with local, state and federal agencies, the authority is also addressing short-term recovery needs while simultaneously guiding the long-term planning process. Visit www.lra.louisiana.gov <http://www.lra.louisiana.gov>  to learn more.

About the Office of Community Development

The Office of Community Development (OCD) is the State's implementation body charged with the expenditure and programmatic oversight of federal Community Development Block Grant funds provided for Louisiana's rebuilding initiatives. Each program and initiative promotes self-sustaining, long-term economic and community development to improve the quality of life for citizens of Louisiana. The programs stress continued local involvement and decision making which is supported by partnerships among private, public and nonprofit entities. OCD has operated the state's CDBG program with great success and with recognition from state and federal auditors for operating a high quality and accountable program.

OCD's Disaster Recovery Unit website is http://doa.louisiana.gov/cdbg/drhome.htm <http://doa.louisiana.gov/cdbg/drhome.htm> .

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