[StBernard] LRA Leaders Applaud Congress for Providing $3 Billion for Road Home

[Westley Annis]

LRA Leaders Applaud Congress for Providing 
$3 Billion for Road Home

NEW ORLEANS (November 08, 2007)-Tonight Louisiana Recovery Authority (LRA) officials applauded Congress for passing the Defense Appropriations Conference Report and Continuing Resolution which includes $3 billion for Louisiana's Road Home program.

"Tens of thousands of Louisiana homeowners have been in limbo for months while funding for the Road Home was hammered out," said LRA Chairman Dr. Norman C. Francis. "Tonight's vote ended months of uncertainty and gives us all yet another reason to be grateful this Thanksgiving."

"I join the people of Louisiana in thanking leaders of the House and Senate, in particular Speaker Pelosi and Majority Whip Clyburn who have stayed the course and truly been our partners in recovery. We applaud the entire Louisiana Delegation, which has worked together in a bipartisan fashion to support Senator Landrieu in securing these funds. And we thank the American people, for recognizing that the recovery of New Orleans and south Louisiana is a vital national interest." 

The Road Home provides rebuilding grants of up to $150,000 per home and is a critical piece of the recovery for families attempting to rebuild and return to a life of stability and productivity.

To date, the program has provided critical funding to more than 67,000 homeowners across Louisiana's hurricane-hit parishes, totaling more than $4.2 billion. Because original federal estimates of housing damages were too low, and the initial outlay of funding was too little, the Road Home was facing a shortfall of $3- $4.5 billion. 

"At last, the moment we've all been waiting for has arrived," said LRA Housing Task Force Chairman and hurricane victim Walter Leger. "The $3 billion Congress approved today will shore up the bulk of the Road Home shortfall and provide much needed rebuilding funds for thousands of homeowners like me."

"After months of intense lobbying, and more than a half dozen visits to Capitol Hill led by Governor Blanco, our hard work has finally paid off." 

"Tonight's vote is a huge victory that will put the roof on the Road Home program."

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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