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For Immediate Release

The Road Home Helps Build a Safer, Stronger and Smarter Louisiana
New Policy Offers Additional Mitigation Grants

BATON ROUGE, La., October 19, 2006 – Now, homeowners who apply for Road Home funding, may receive additional dollars to help protect their homes against future water and wind damage.

A new provision to the program allows all homeowners who apply to receive up to $37,500 for undertaking specific mitigation measures when rebuilding their homes, including $30,000 for elevation.  The original policy capped assistance for all mitigation measures at $30,000.

Homeowners who do not receive compensation grants for home repairs from The Road Home may still be eligible to receive mitigation grants so that all homeowners will be better prepared for potential future damage. The maximum Road Home grant, including mitigation, is still $150,000.

Homeowners who are eligible for Increased Cost of Compliance (ICC) funding from the National Flood Insurance Program, will still be eligible for Road Home elevation funds of up to $30,000 (based on the cost of elevating the home) in addition to ICC funds up to a total maximum of $60,000 for elevation.

Homeowners may also receive up to $7,500 to complete specific non-elevation mitigation measures such as reinforcing garage doors, raising the washer and dryer, and raising or relocating water heaters or furnaces to a higher level.  Various forms of window protection such as installing shutters, installing impact resistant glass or window covers also fall under the non-elevation mitigation category.

“Not only do we want Louisiana residents to rebuild, we want them to rebuild smarter,” said Mike Byrne, The Road Home’s Chief Program Executive. “By building smarter we mean taking the steps to eliminate or reduce damage to structures and prevent loss of life from future storms. This additional funding will hopefully encourage everyone to take the necessary steps to improve their homes.”

The Road Home program is designed to help residents of Louisiana affected by hurricane Katrina or Rita get back into their homes as quickly and fairly as possible.  This groundbreaking program represents the largest single housing recovery program in U.S. history.  Working together, Governor Blanco, the Louisiana Recovery Authority, and the Office of Community Development created The Road Home Program to afford eligible homeowners up to $150,000 in total compensation 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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