Napolitano Brings Help To NOLA & Gulf Coast

[sandnsea]

There's some bright news today too!





Secretary Janet Napolitano, DHS and Secretary Shaun Donovan, HUD, arrived in New Orleans yesterday for a listening tour as well as to announce hundreds of millions of dollars in funding to Louisiana and the Gulf Coast.

“Today, we turn the page and start a new chapter in the federal partnership with communities throughout Louisiana,” said Donovan. “HUD will work very closely with our counterparts at the state and local level to make certain families can continue to live and work in the Bayou State, whether it’s producing affordable rental housing, supporting our most vulnerable citizens, or stimulating the state’s employment base.”

“Our commitment to the Gulf Coast remains unwavering and our determination to bring to completion many of the projects is still underway,” said DHS Secretary Napolitano. “A lot of progress has been made to help the region recover, but it is abundantly clear that there are still areas where progress has stalled, bureaucracy has set-in, and people continue to struggle. My goal is to eliminate the red tape, help rebuild now and rebuild the region stronger than ever.”

They announced several hundred million dollars in assistance that will provide affordable rental housing, homeless housing, help commercial and agricultural businesses, support coastal restoration, repair police and fire stations, and much more. Napolitano also announced that FEMA will extend the Relocation Assistance Program to May 1, 2009. Families that were displaced from their primary residence in a disaster declared area as a result of Katrina and Rita are eligible for up to $4,000 in reimbursement for relocation expenses through the Relocation Assistance Program. Under the new extension, applicants can file a claim if they incurred relocation expenses between Aug. 29, 2005 and May 1, 2009.

They visited the Southern University of New Orleans, where classes now operate out of the upper floors of buildings that were severely damaged by Katrina. They also visited the 200th home restored by the St Bernard Project and a redeveloped portion of the Abundance Square public housing complex.

Napolitano is scheduled to is take a helicopter tour of Mississippi’s Gulf Coast today.

Crosspost: http://www.obama-mamas.com/blog/?p=192

[jwirr]

1. I only ask that they build whatever they are building on solid ground. nt

[sandnsea]

2. Like L.A. & San Francisco? n/t

[jwirr]

3. I do not have a home so if HUD were to build me a home I would not

want it in a flood plain and no I wouldn't want it in LA or San Fransisco either.

[RB TexLa]

4. Like the bridge rebuilt between San Fran and Oakland?

Among countless number of things rebuilt under the threat of something. There is no place without possibility of some disaster.


:crazy:

[Catshrink]

5. No mention of Gov. Bobby.

Guess he wasn't invited to the party --- he'd call it unnecessary spending anyway. Or is he back from Wally World?