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FEMA Awards State $96.5 Million To Elevate Homes
Louisiana will undertake the largest single home elevation project in American history, thanks to grant money to help homeowners pay for measures to make their homes safer and stronger.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) approved the use of more than $96.5 million in Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) funding to elevate nearly 3,000 homes devastated by hurricanes Katrina and Rita, FEMA announced in conjunction with the Louisiana Recovery Authority (LRA), the Louisiana Office of Community Development (OCD) and the Governor's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (GOHSEP) on Wednesday.
Funding Approved to Rebuild Docks at Marinas in Plaquemines Parish
$7.9 million in state and federal funding will be used to rebuild marinas in Plaquemines Parish. Buras, Empire, Pointe-a-la Hache and Venice boat harbors all suffered damages during Hurricane Katrina. High winds, movement of large debris and a 10-foot storm surge destroyed structural components at each of the marinas. FEMA has provided funds for the replacement of a large vessel boat hoist, reconstruction of the four marinas, and the replacement of other essential components necessary for the daily operation of the marinas.
State and Federal Officials Celebrate the Return of the UNO Lakefront Arena
The four-story, 300,000 square foot UNO Lakefront Arena will reopen its doors today for the first time since it was devastated two and half years ago by Hurricane Katrina, thanks in large part to over $15 million in FEMA Public Assistance funding that is administered by the state of Louisiana. As repair payments have been submitted to the state, over 95 percent of the requested funds have already been paid to contractors to restore the UNO Lakefront Arena for its opening.
State and Federal Officials Book Funds for Rebuilding of East New Orleans Library
A New Orleans library destroyed by Hurricane Katrina will receive funds from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) that will go toward its rebuilding. Three foot floodwaters entered the East New Orleans Regional Library and damaged the building beyond repair. Items damaged included the building components, plumbing and all electrical and mechanical systems. Subsequent mold and mildew buildup at the Read Boulevard facility also destroyed the 57,000 volumes of reading materials.
State, ICF Agree Upon Road Home Performance Measures through End of June
New performance measures signed by the state and ICF International mandate that the Road Home close 116,000 total cases, complete more than 2,300 second disbursements and 500 elevation second disbursements by the end of June or face penalties of more than $1 million, the state announced Friday.
The state and ICF signed the agreed upon measures Thursday. For the first time, they include performance measures for the Small Rental Property Program (SRPP) in addition to the Road Home homeowner program.
LRA Board Approves $30 Million to Create Statewide Generator Program
The state will use $30 million of its allocation of hazard mitigation funds to create a statewide program to purchase generators for critical facilities statewide under a plan approved by the Louisiana Recovery Authority's Board of Directors Monday. The board also approve funding for Recovery Corps and East Baton Rouge Parish's Long Term Community Recovery program plan.
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