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For Immediate Release

HOMEOWNER ADVISORY SERVICES COMING TO THE ROAD HOME

BATON ROUGE, La., April 2, 2007 – Homeowners can now call The Road Home to make appointments for Road Home Advisory Services. Advisors at housing assistance centers will be available, beginning April 9, to provide assistance to homeowners who are rebuilding, relocating – or still trying to decide.

The range of services will include topics ranging from Road Home application assistance to information on the recovery process throughout the state.

“This is an excellent resource for homeowners who are facing the challenges of rebuilding or the difficult decisions of what they should do,” said Michael Taylor, director of the Disaster Recovery Unit, Office of Community Development. “These advisory services are a key component of The Road Home mission. “

By calling 1.888.ROAD.2.LA, homeowners can schedule appointments to receive information in a number of areas including:

• Road Home Application Assistance – Homeowners can receive help in completing or updating their Road Home applications, or learn about the status of their application.
• Benefits Information – Advisors can review and explain information contained in options letters, answer questions about the closing process, and provide follow-up explanation of disbursement sheets and other closing documents after settlement.
• Rebuilding Assistance – Homeowners who are planning to rebuild can receive information on such topics as construction, permits, historic preservation, and improvements that will help protect their homes from future storms.
• Access to the Professional Rebuilding Registry – Advisors can help homeowners access the registry database, which helps to connect them with licensed area contractors.
• Assistance to Individuals With Special Needs – Advisors can provide assistance with a variety of service needs, including navigation of The Road Home process, referrals to community and social services and emergency needs for crisis intervention.
• Information on Louisiana Recovery Process – Using the “What’s in My Backyard” database, housing advisors can provide current information, by ZIP code, on available neighborhood services including libraries, schools, hospitals, adult centers, day-care centers and public utility services, to name a few.

The Road Home Advisory Services are being expanded on a daily basis. Soon, advisors will also be able to provide homeowners with financial services referrals that can aid them in their recovery process and financial planning. Homeowners are encouraged to call today to make an appointment with an advisor to take advantage of the valuable resources that The Road Home has to offer.

The Road Home program is designed to provide compensation to Louisiana homeowners affected by Hurricanes Katrina or Rita for the damage to their homes. This groundbreaking program represents the largest single housing recovery program in U.S. history. Working together, Gov. Kathleen Babineaux Blanco, the Louisiana Recovery Authority and the Office of Community Development created The Road Home program with the approval of the Louisiana Legislature. The program affords eligible homeowners up to $150,000 in compensation for their losses to get back into their homes.

To start your application to The Road Home program, visit www.road2LA.org or call 1-888-ROAD-2-LA (1-888-762-3252). TTY callers use 711 relay or 1-800-846-5277.

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