[StBernard] LRA Chairman Reacts to the Inclusion of Road Home Funding in Defense Appropriations Bill

[Westley Annis]

UPDATED: LRA Chairman Reacts to the Inclusion of Road Home Funding in Defense Appropriations Bill

BATON ROUGE, La. (November 6, 2007) - Louisiana Recovery Authority (LRA) Chairman Norman C. Francis issued the following statement today in response to news that Congressional negotiators have agreed to provide an additional $3 billion for Louisiana's Road Home program in a pending defense bill:

"Today, members of the House and Senate Conference Committee reached an agreement to include $3 billion for the Road Home program in the Defense Appropriations Report, which could be voted on as early as next week. 

"This is great news that couldn't come at a better time. Congress has taken a critical step to help us ensure that each and every eligible homeowner will receive the grant they need to rebuild and there will not be any unnecessary disruptions in the Road Home program.

"I applaud the efforts of our Louisiana Delegation, especially Senator Landrieu, who worked closely with Senators Byrd and Murray and their fellow appropriators on this bill. She has truly given us another reason to be grateful this Thanksgiving. We have been blessed by the support we've received from the American people and their representatives in Congress - and this announcement to ensure that all of our families can rebuild their homes and their lives couldn't have come at a better time or season. On behalf of all Louisianians, we again offer our heartfelt appreciation for having another reason to express our gratitude this holiday."

"I also join thousands of homeowners in giving an extra special thanks to leaders in the House and Senate, especially Speaker Pelosi and Majority Whip Clyburn. They have been our partners, staying the course and delivering on their commitments. Their record of support gives me great hope and confidence that the full Congress will swiftly pass this conference report."

The funds for the Road Home are included in the Fiscal Year 2008 Defense Appropriations Conference Report, a compromise between funding bills passed by the Senate and House of Representatives earlier this year. This report now returns to the floor and must be passed in each chamber before being signed by President George W. Bush. 

This comes just two weeks after Francis, Governor Kathleen Babineaux Blanco, New Orleans Mayor C. Ray Nagin, New Orleans Recovery Director Ed Blakely, and LRA Executive Director Andy Kopplin concluded a series of successful meetings with key Congressional leaders and Bush administration officials in Washington, DC where they urged swift action to address the Road Home funding shortfall.

To date, the Road Home has received more than 184,000 applications, and more than 67,000 homeowners have received their awards, totaling more than $4.2 billion. At the current rate of grant payouts of 10,000 a month, and at the current average award per grant of $70,000 per homeowner, the Road Home program is projected to exhaust its existing budget just after the first of the year.

To ensure that each and every eligible homeowner receives the grant they need to repair and elevate their home, Louisiana has requested that Congress provide approximately $3.3 billion in additional funding and issue a legislative directive to FEMA allowing the state to effectively utilize $1.17 billion of Hazard Mitigation Grant Program funds allocated to Louisiana but tied up in red tape for more than a year.

Hurricanes Katrina and Rita devastated South Louisiana, claiming 1,464 lives, destroying more than 200,000 homes and 18,000 businesses. The Louisiana Recovery Authority (LRA) is the planning and coordinating body that was created in the aftermath of these storms by Governor Kathleen Babineaux Blanco to lead one of the most extensive rebuilding efforts in the world. The LRA is a 33-member body which is coordinating across jurisdictions, supporting community recovery and resurgence, ensuring integrity and effectiveness, and planning for the recovery and rebuilding of Louisiana. 

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