In accordance with the State Hazard Mitigation Program, LRA directed the Louisiana Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (OSHEP) to distribute the first hazard mitigation funding available after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita to parish governments.
"This is the first cut of an estimated $3 billion in federal dollars that will be available to Louisiana," said LRA Chairman Dr. Norman Francis. "This funding allows parishes to get to work right away to address their most pressing needs."
According to the formula LRA approved today:
- $100 million will be dedicated to elevate and acquire severely and repeatedly damaged homes
- $136 million for mitigation projects in parishes declared disasters by FEMA $14 million to develop for disaster mitigation planning to be used by state, local, tribal and eligible private non-profit institutions
- About 1,700 homes, or about one-third of the severely and repetitively damaged homes in America, are in Louisiana. These are structures that have suffered damages of $1,000 or more on at least four occasions or suffered damages of more than 50 percent of their value on two or more occasions.
To access these hazard mitigation funds, parishes will submit proposals to OHSEP. The funds, which are provided under the Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, require a 25 percent match from parish governments or state agencies.
Distribution of these funds is subject to a formal review process in accordance with the Inspector General, Legislative Auditor, Commissioner of Administration and State Treasurer, as has been done for all funds distributed by OSHEP since Hurricane Katrina.
The LRA, a 26- member body appointed by Governor Kathleen Babineaux Blanco to identify and prioritize and short- and long-term needs of the recovery, is the planning and coordinating body that will assist in implementing the Governor's vision for the recovery of Louisiana. It will seek out and value local input as it plans and implements the recovery. A complete list of the selection criteria is available online at www.lra.Louisiana.gov
