Press Releases
Released on July 21, 2008
Recovery Corps, LHFA announce home repair funds for St. Tammany households
Repair grants available to homeowners on first-come, first-serve basis
Baton Rouge, La. (July 21, 2008) – The Louisiana Family Recovery Corps and the Louisiana Housing Finance Agency, or LHFA, announced today a new program to restore and rehabilitate the homes of Katrina-affected families living in St. Tammany Parish, Louisiana. The LHFA awarded more than $1.2 million to the Recovery Corps to be used primarily for low-income families.
“As evidenced by our daily observations and indicated through the Recovery Corps’ recent analysis of the most devastated communities, Louisiana’s people are still putting their lives back together from the most catastrophic storm we’ve had to face in modern times. This program is another small, but critical step in recovery—rebuilding homes so that people can sleep with a fixed roof over their head,” said Raymond A. Jetson, chief executive officer of the Recovery Corps.
“We are pleased to be working with the Recovery Corps on this worthy project,” said LHFA President Milton Bailey. “The impact of the storms of 2005 was far reaching and we want to make sure that we can help as many people in as many parts of the state as possible.”
In partnership with the LHFA, the Recovery Corps has launched the Homeowner Repair Program to provide assistance to one of the areas hardest hit by Katrina and Rita, St. Tammany Parish. Each household selected for the program will receive a minimum of $1,000 to go toward home repairs. Eligible households must also be homeowners with an annual income equal to 80 percent or less of the median income in St. Tammany. For example, a family of one must be making $33,500 or less in annual income, but for a family of 4, income must be $47,850 or less.
Grants are limited and available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Eligible residents must have clear title to the property and the home must serve as principal residence only. They must also be willing to stay in their home and accept a lien on the property for a period of five years, have flood and property insurance, and work with the Recovery Corps to complete the necessary forms and agreements to begin construction.
To apply for the Homeowner Repair Program and get complete eligibility requirements, residents can pick up applications at the following two locations starting Monday, July 21, 2008, through Wednesday, August 6, 2008:
- Northshore Disaster Recovery
360 Robert Blvd., Slidell, La. 70458 - Community Christian Concern
2228 Second St., La. 70458
Completed applications will be accepted on Thursday, August 7, 2008 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Northshore Disaster Recovery; on Friday, August 8, 2008 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Community Christian Concern; and on Saturday, August 9 from 9 a.m. to noon at Northshore Disaster Recovery.
As families come in many different shapes and sizes, housing types eligible for assistance are also diverse: single family housing, condominiums and manufacture homes, including mobile homes. Homes can only be repaired for existing storm damage – families cannot use funds to add on to the pre-existing structure.
The Recovery Corps has overseen similar initiatives that provided housing restoration services to more than 350 households. By enlisting local organizations, the Recovery Corps also utilized volunteer labor in addition to contracted workers, making it possible to maximize available housing resources.
About the Recovery Corps
The Recovery Corps, a non-profit 501(c)(3) corporation based in Baton Rouge, La., coordinates humanitarian services for the State of Louisiana in the aftermath of disaster, natural and manmade. Formed in the wake of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005, the Recovery Corps assists families and individuals with their comprehensive recovery needs through its human service and non-profit partners in New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Lake Charles and across Louisiana. The Recovery Corps has assisted more than 30,000 households with recovery planning, housing, children's services and emotional well-being needs since January 2006. To learn more or donate, visit www.recoverycorps.org.
About the Louisiana Housing Finance Agency
The Louisiana Housing Finance Agency (LHFA) was created by the Louisiana Legislature to address the shortage of safe and affordable housing in Louisiana. Since 1980, LHFA has administered federal and state funds through programs designed to advance the development of energy efficient and affordable housing for low and moderate income families. Post-Katrina, LHFA has been a viable resource in the development of rental housing and homeownership finance opportunities.
