[StBernard] LRA Progress Report - November 30, 2007

[Westley Annis]

In this issue:

*	Tomorrow is Deadline for Road Home Applicants to Schedule First Appointments 
*	Doors Reopen at South Cameron Hospital 
*	New Orleans City Park Carousel Returns 
*	Study Shows New Orleans Convention Center Had Major Impact on New Orleans Despite Being Closed Most of 2006 




Tomorrow is Deadline for Road Home Applicants to Schedule First Appointments

Tomorrow is the Road Home program deadline for applicants to schedule an initial interview. All appointments must be completed by December 15, 2007. 

Appointments are available at 11 Housing Assistance Centers across Louisiana and in Houston. Applicants who live out of state may conduct a telephone appointment and complete an application packet through the mail. However, The Road Home strongly encourages homeowners to conduct appointments in person if at all possible. Phone appointments must also be scheduled no later than December 1 and all materials must be returned by December 15.

The Road Home program requires applicants to complete an appointment with a program housing advisor. Homeowners who do not schedule this appointment by tomorrow and complete it by December 15 will be considered ineligible to receive assistance from the program. 

Applicants who have yet to schedule their first appointments may do so by calling 1.888.762.3252.

For more information about The Road Home, visit www.Road2La.org <http://www.Road2La.org> . 

Doors Reopen at South Cameron Hospital 

This week South Cameron Memorial, the only hospital in Cameron parish, reopened for the first time since Hurricane Rita. Financing for this new, state of the art facility was provided through a combination of state, federal and private funds, including more than $4 million in Community Block Development Grant (CDBG) dollars provided by Governor Blanco and the Louisiana Recovery Authority. The 25 bed, acute-care hospital has a full-service lab with X-ray, CT scan and mammography capabilities. To read the full story for the Lake Charles American Press visit: www.americanpress.com <http://www.americanpress.com>  

New Orleans City Park Carousel Returns

The historic, 101 year-old City Park carousel is turning once again. Nearly $500,000 was spent to restore the carousel and its building, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The foundation of the carousel has been reinforced, more than 2,000 glass panes were reglazed and the organ and sound system were repaired. For more information visit City Park's Web site at: http://www.neworleanscitypark.com/index.html <http://www.neworleanscitypark.com/index.html>  

Study Shows New Orleans Convention Center Had Major Impact on New Orleans Despite Being Closed Most of 2006

A recent study, prepared by University of New Orleans Chancellor Timothy Ryan, indicates that even though the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center was closed for much of last year, it still had an economic impact of $719.4 million. The convention center hosted 43 events last year, attracting 181,595 visitors. The study also shows the center supported nearly 10,000 New Orleans-area jobs creating $217.18 million in income for residents. To read the full story from New Orleans City Business click here <http://www.neworleanscitybusiness.com/uptotheminute.cfm?recid=14107&userID=0&referer=dailyUpdate> . 



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.

###