Disaster Assistance Available To Storm-Hit Louisianans 

Release Date: October 14, 2002
Release Number: 1435-43

» More Information on Louisiana Tropical Storm Isidore

Baton Rouge, LA -- Individuals and families whose homes were damaged or destroyed as a result of Tropical Storm Isidore and Hurricane Lili may be eligible for a wide range of state and federal disaster assistance, according to officials overseeing the recovery effort.

Art Jones, the official designated by Gov. Mike Foster to coordinate the state's response and recovery programs, said the top priority is to see that every disaster survivor in the 28 designated parishes is in safe, secure and livable housing.

Administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) with state participation, the disaster-housing recovery program provides two types of immediate housing assistance: temporary rental assistance, available to tenants or homeowners whose primary residences were destroyed or made unlivable; and direct grants, designed for immediate repairs needed to make a residence habitable.

"To qualify for a home-repair grant, the applicant must be an owner-occupant and the home must be the primary residence," Jones added.

"These repair grants cover basic needs only and normally won't compensate for the entire loss," explained Federal Coordinating Officer Carlos Mitchell, who is spearheading the joint federal-state recovery effort with Jones. Mitchell said repair funds would not be awarded for cosmetic repairs or for insured damage.

A significant source of assistance for homeowners and renters comes in the form of low-interest loans provided by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) to cover uninsured property losses. Loans may be for repair or replacement of homes, automobiles, clothing, or other damaged personal property. Loans are also available to businesses for property loss and economic injury.

Mitchell said that in order to determine qualification for disaster housing assistance, individuals and households with storm-related damage must first register by calling 800-621-FEMA (3362). Persons with hearing or speech impediments should call another toll-free number, 800-462-7585 (TTY).

Last Modified: Thursday, 24-Jul-2003 17:04:39