FEMA Funds Demolition of Remaining Damaged Homes in New Orleans
Release Date: November 19, 2007
Release Number: 1603-746
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NEW ORLEANS, La. -- The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will pay to demolish the remaining eligible structures in New Orleans after the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' (USACE) mission assignment ended more than two months ago.
The FEMA funds will pay a contractor to work with the City of New Orleans Legal Housing Unit to supervise and document the demolition and debris disposal of the remaining eligible structures. The contract should be awarded sometime this month. FEMA had paid USACE under mission assignment to perform this function prior to Aug. 29, 2007.
Approximately 1,800 homes remain to be demolished, creating around 630,000 cubic yards of debris. Demolitions should be completed by Feb. 29, 2008. Under mission assignment, USACE had supervised the demolition of 4,248 homes, totaling 1.5 million cubic yards of debris.
"This recent funding shows FEMA's commitment to New Orleans and the region since these damaged homes remain a threat to public safety and have to be removed for this city to recover fully," Louisiana Transitional Recovery Office Director Jim Stark.
FEMA has obligated $11.1 million for this demolition and debris removal project management.
When projects are obligated by FEMA through its supplemental Public Assistance grant, the funds are transferred to a Smartlink account. This allows the applicant, in this case the city of New Orleans, to work with the Governor's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness as quickly as possible to access the reimbursement monies. The state may require additional documentation from the applicant before disbursing the funds. Obligated funds may change over time as the project worksheet is a living grant that is often adjusted as bids come in and scope of work is aligned.
The Public Assistance program works with state and local officials to fund recovery measures and the rebuilding of government and certain private nonprofit organizations' buildings, as well as roads, bridges and water and sewer plants. In order for the process to be successful, federal, state and local partners coordinate to draw up project plans, fund these projects and oversee their completion.
FEMA coordinates the federal government's role in preparing for, preventing, mitigating the effects of, responding to, and recovering from all domestic disasters, whether natural or man-made, including acts of terror.
Last Modified: Monday, 19-Nov-2007 10:27:06