Federal Funding Tops Billions as Louisiana Recovers
Release Date: January 26, 2007
Release Number: 1603-599
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NEW ORLEANS, La. -- As the new year starts and recovery from hurricanes Katrina and Rita continues, m ore than $30 billion in federal funds has been obligated to Louisiana through Public Assistance programs, awarded to citizens through Individual Assistance, settled through National Flood Insurance claims or loaned through the U.S. Small Business Association (SBA).
In the 16 months following the costliest disasters in U.S. history, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) continues to work closely with applicants, local and state organizations and voluntary agencies in rebuilding Louisiana .
Individual Assistance grants totaling $5,745,246,142 are being approved and disbursed through the following programs:
- $5,424,384,148 has been awarded to individuals and families under the Individuals and Household Program, which consists of Housing Assistance and Other Needs Assistance.
- 857,424 people have been approved for Housing Assistance totaling $3,850,754,543 . Housing Assistance includes temporary housing, repair and replacement and permanent housing construction.
- 314,467 individuals have been approved for $1,573,629,605 in Other Needs Assistance, which includes personal property, transportation, medical and dental expenses, funeral expenses and other expenses such as moving and storage.
- $320,861,994 has been disbursed in Disaster Unemployment Assistance.
The Public Assistance grants program provides assistance for work including the repair of infrastructure to pre-disaster conditions, debris removal and emergency protective measures. FEMA awards grants to the state, which disburses funds to assist local governments and eligible private nonprofit entities to respond to and recover from the disaster.
- $4,533,708,913 in federal dollars has been obligated for Public Assistance projects, which include emergency response and recovery, debris removal, roads and bridges, utilities and public buildings.
Other assistance:
- 63,508 travel trailer leases are active (currently occupied; not cumulative) for both Katrina and Rita. This includes 51,034 leases on private sites and 12,474 leases on group, commercial and other sites.
- The National Flood Insurance Program has settled 143,756 claims for a total of $13,177,673,189 for Hurricanes Katrina and Rita combined.
- 493,005 flood insurance policies are in force in Louisiana.
In addition, the U. S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has approved $6,803,796,000 in disaster loans for Louisiana residents and businesses.
- $5,265,710,000 for 81,320 homeowners and renters
- $1,538,086,000 for 13,831 businesses
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) has removed 26,428,074 cubic yards of debris under a FEMA-funded mission assignment.
- USACE is averaging 15,212 cubic yards of debris pick up per day. This includes demolition debris.
Louisiana residents have sought information at Disaster Recovery Centers (DRCs) throughout the affected areas.
- The DRCs have received a total of 999,915 visits for disasters 1603 and 1607.
- At the end of December, two DRCs were open and staffed by representatives of the SBA, crisis counselors, disaster mitigation specialists and other personnel from federal, state and voluntary agencies.
- One DRC closed December 29 and reopened January 3 as a Welcome Home Center .
- The two centers are located in Orleans and Jefferson Parish.
The above figures were compiled as of Jan. 19, 2007.
FEMA manages federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident, initiates mitigation activities and manages the National Flood Insurance Program. FEMA works closely with state and local emergency managers, law enforcement personnel, firefighters and other first responders. FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on March 1, 2003.
Last Modified: Friday, 26-Jan-2007 11:11:32