FEMA Assistance for Public Programs Tops One Billion
Release Date: November 22, 2005
Release Number: 1603-174
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BATON ROUGE, La. -- The scope of recovering from Hurricanes Katrina and Rita reached another milestone today as federal funding for emergency work and public projects in Louisiana topped $1 billion. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the Louisiana Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (LOHSEP) today announced funding has been allocated for projects such as temporary school buildings and repairs to sewer systems.
Among the grants is more than $3 million for Jefferson and Lafayette Parish schools. The hurricanes caused major structural damage to schools, as well as the relocation of thousands of students. The school systems received funding for damage to buildings and the need to expand instructional space.
The Orleans Parish Criminal Sheriff's Office received a $2.7 million grant to construct a temporary intake and release facility. The jail and support facilities suffered massive flood and wind damage and will have to be replaced.
"These projects are key to Louisiana's recovery," said Scott Wells, federal coordinating officer. "FEMA continues to work with its state and local partners to remove unprecedented debris, restore vital infrastructure and support the educational systems throughout the state."
Other projects funded through the Public Assistance program have included pump station and sewer system repairs, debris removal, and road and bridge projects. To date, 649 projects have been funded by FEMA for a total of $1.3 billion.
"Restoring critical services such as rebuilding educational and law enforcement facilities is essential to bringing our residents back home," said Colonel Jeff Smith, state coordinating officer. "State and federal cooperation on these projects is the key to success."
This past weekend, President George W. Bush made additional disaster assistance available to the State of Louisiana by authorizing an extension of 100 percent federal funding for certain Public Assistance projects. Debris removal and emergency protective measures, including those involving direct federal assistance, will be reimbursed at 100 percent of the costs incurred through the new deadline of Jan. 15, 2006.
Public Assistance program grants are part of ongoing federal reimbursements to state and local government agencies and certain non-profit organizations that provide essential government-like services for disaster-related expenses. The grants will continue until all eligible costs have been reimbursed. Once projects are approved, money is provided to the state of Louisiana for distribution.
Recently approved grants include the following projects.
| City of Abita Springs | $1.6 million* | Debris removal |
| Military Department State of Louisiana | $3.3 million* | Funding of the costs associated with the setup and operation of the shelter established to house 1000 evacuees. |
| Military Department State of Louisiana | $3.5 million* | Purchase of 100 manufactured housing units for Gillis Long Center and Camp Beauregard. |
| Lafayette Parish School Board | $1.8 million* | Rental of portable buildings and school buses; provide computers, classroom furniture and supplies for both student and teachers; operations expenses for fuel and maintenance; personnel costs include overtime for emergency response activity. |
| Jefferson Parish Public School System | $1.8 million* | Interim housing for essential personnel to continue to provide public education to the parish children. |
| Amite City | $2.6 million* | Debris removal |
*Dollars reflect FEMA's cost share.
Last Modified: Wednesday, 23-Nov-2005 10:09:46