[StBernard] LRA Approves $5M For Contaminated Chinese Drywall

Westley Annis westley at da-parish.com
Thu Oct 22 21:09:36 EDT 2009


LRA Approves $5M For Contaminated Chinese Drywall
State Senators Try To Help Homeowners With Chinese Drywall
WDSU.com
updated 5:49 p.m. CT, Thurs., Oct . 22, 2009
SLIDELL, La. - WDSU .com

As more people in south Louisiana come forward to speak out about what
tainted Chinese drywall has done to their homes and families, government
agencies are beginning to take action.

The Louisiana Recovery Authority met in Slidell Wednesday night and approved
a plan to dedicate $5 million to help those families, and dozens of people
turned out for the town hall meeting. But there's a hitch.

"Until we can determine that this person is a victim and a Road Home
applicant and something can be done, sit tight," said Walter Leger, of the
LRA.

The drywall -- which emits gases that are blamed for corroding wiring,
plumbing and appliances as well as causing health problems -- poured into
Louisiana following Hurricane Katrina. The state is one of the nation's
hardest hit in the drywall crisis. That's why two local lawmakers are
leading efforts to get federal help.

State Sens. Julie Quinn and A.G. Crowe hosted the Slidell town hall meeting
Wednesday to communicate with affected families. Last month, more than 500
people came out to a similar meeting in Mandeville. Since then, Quinn
traveled to Washington to ask Congress for relief.

Homeowners are becoming increasingly frustrated. Last week, three insurance
companies said they wouldn't cover the drywall damage because their
homeowners policies don't cover building material defects.

Wednesday's town hall meeting was held at 6 p.m. at the Northshore Harbor
Center in Slidell. Quinn and Crowe, along with drywall experts, were on hand
to answer questions.




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