Today
The typical household assisted by the Recovery Corps is probably more like your own than you may think. We’ve helped homeowners, renters, plumbers, nurses, doctors, bus drivers, construction workers, executives, case managers, first responders, college students, children, parents, grandparents, aunts and uncles. People from all walks of life were affected by the storms of 2005, but not all people are back on their feet today.
According to a scientific needs assessment conducted by the Recovery Corps in April 2008, many Louisiana citizens are still facing barriers to their individual recovery. More than 2,100 citizens in Calcasieu, Jefferson, Orleans, Plaquemines and St. Bernard parishes shared their thoughts on the obstacles facing their families and communities.
In October 2007, the Recovery Corps launched the Household Establishment Funds (HEF) program to meet some of the ongoing needs of survivors and anticipated serving about 3,330 households. The program has expended its current funding, but it managed to exceed its goal by nearly 1,000 households. According to follow-up surveys with HEF households, more than 63 percent indicated that the program gave them a sense of real progress in their recovery. Of the households receiving HEF assistance, more than 95 percent maintained their housing situation and another 4 percent were able to get new housing.
NOLA Bound continues to serve the planning and information needs of survivors living out-of-state, assisting them with making the best decision about their potential return to New Orleans. To date, more than 5,000 families have been provided a plan and critical information for their return to the Crescent City and surrounding region.
The Recovery Corps continues to identify new funding sources for additional services to people impacted by disaster.
