Federal Coordinator for Gulf Coast Rebuilding award additional $4.2 billion for Louisiana's long-term recovery
Housing and Urban Development:
Bernardi, Louisiana Governor Kathleen Babineaux Blanco, and New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin made the announcement during a news conference at the State Supreme Court in New Orleans.
HUD is also inviting the states of Mississippi, Alabama, Florida, and Texas to detail their unmet housing and community development needs to assist the Department in determining how to allocate another $1 billion.
The emergency funding is provided through HUD's Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program.
Last January, HUD allocated $11.5 billion in CDBG funding among five Gulf Coast states, including $6.2 billion to the state of Louisiana.
"This funding is a realization of the President's commitment to the Gulf Coast and the hopes and dreams of the people who are proud to call this important economic, historical and cultural region of our nation their home."
Blanco said, "Never before in American history has any state been forced to rebuild so many homes so quickly.
There is nothing more important to our recovery than returning families to their homes.
This $4.2 billion means homeowners have real options - options to repair, rebuild or sell their homes.
Last month, Congress approved President Bush's request for an additional $4.2 billion in CDBG funding to support the long-term recovery efforts in Louisiana and added $1.0 billion to address remaining recovery needs in other Gulf Coast states.
The funding allocated today to Louisiana, and the remaining $1 billion to be allocated throughout the Gulf Coast, will help rebuild homes, restore vital infrastructure and revitalize devastated communities.
This funding places a special emphasis on assisting affordable rental housing.
