Gulf Coast Recovery Office

Rebuilding the Gulf Coast

FEMA Temporary Housing Program Ending For Families of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is reminding applicants that the temporary housing program for families of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita ends on May 1, 2009. Applicants currently receiving FEMA temporary housing assistance will begin receiving their notifications informing them that they must vacate the housing unit by May 1, 2009. (Read More) (FAQs)

Secretary Napolitano Announces Proposed Loan Forgiveness for Hurricanes Katrina and Rita Special Community Disaster Loans

U.S. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano today announced that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has proposed an amendment to its Special Community Disaster Loan (CDL) regulations to include loan forgiveness procedures and requirements. The proposed regulation, submitted today to the Federal Register, proposes procedures and requirements for governments who received Special Community Disaster Loans to apply for cancellation of loan obligations. The decision to proceed on this rulemaking now comes as a result of Secretary Napolitano's trip to the Gulf Coast earlier this month, and is part of a series of new initiatives put forth by the Department of Homeland Security to address the challenges facing the region. (Read More)

Direct Housing Assistance Extended Until May 1, 2009 For Katrina/Rita Individuals And Families

Q & A
How long is the extension?
FEMA's temporary housing program for eligible Katrina/Rita individuals and families is being extended an additional 60 days until May 1, 2009, at the request of a state. (Read More) (Press Release)

Gulf Coast Recovery Office Announces Increased Activity Using Transparency Initiative Web Site

FEMA's Gulf Coast Recovery Office (GCRO) and the Office of the Federal Coordinator for Gulf Coast Rebuilding (OFC) are pleased to announce that there have been more than 56,000 hits on the Transparency Initiative Web site since mid-August 2008. GCRO and OFC worked together to establish the Transparency Initiative Web site to provide greater accountability and transparency into the public assistance process and to empower local decision makers and residents with invaluable information on rebuilding critical sectors of their local communities. (Read More)

Second Phase Of Transparency Initiative Web Information Tool Launched

Website offers a convenient and user-friendly way for the public to monitor progress of FEMA-supported recovery initiatives in their neighborhoods.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Gulf Coast Recovery Office, in conjunction with the Office of the Federal Coordinator for Gulf Coast Rebuilding (OFC), recently launched the second phase of a major Web site initiative on government transparency. The Transparency Initiative resulted from the need to bring greater clarity as to how billions of federal dollars are supporting recovery efforts in the Gulf Coast. The newly designed Web information tool demonstrates what federal funding has been spent or set aside for the recovery of schools, hospitals, fire and police stations and other efforts. (Read More)

Transparency in FEMA Public Assistance Grants

FEMA is helping rebuild public infrastructure in Louisiana, Mississippi, Texas and Alabama that was devastated by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Even the most basic services, that we take for granted in our everyday lives, were destroyed or literally washed away.

FEMA is funding tens of thousands of projects around the Gulf to rebuild hospitals, schools, roads, bridges, power stations, government facilities, and other public services that will aid the recovery and ensure the long term strength of the region. Click on the Recovery Map icon to learn more about the projects in different areas.

Historic Preservation Considerations for Mississippi HMGP Projects

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Rebuilding Historic Louisiana: Historic Preservation Resources

The following information was developed for FEMA's Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) which aims to assist citizens with mitigating their structures damaged as a result of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. While this information is geared toward those receiving HMGP grant funding, this guidance can also be useful for all property owners who are faced with rebuilding or restoring a structure that has historical value. (Read More)

FEMA Announces Limited Exception For Work In Progress

Property owners who have already begun or completed mitigation work such as elevation, reconstruction or retrofitting to their structures damaged by hurricanes Katrina or Rita may be eligible for hazard mitigation funding under a new limited exception from the Federal Emergency Management Agency's (FEMA) Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP). (Read More)

Rebuilding Public Schools in New Orleans

FEMA has partnered with the Louisiana Department of Education, to provide detailed funding and status information about public schools in New Orleans. We encourage you to click on Public Schools in New Orleans to learn more about the funding that has been provided to schools in New Orleans, and to see which schools have re-opened.

Public Assistance for Gulf Coast Infrastructure- Priority Projects

FEMA's Public Assistance program provides grant funds to the States and local communities to assist them in repairing and rebuilding public infrastructure, such as schools, police and fire stations, hospitals, roads, and utilities.

The local communities have identified several high priority rebuilding projects. To learn more about high priority projects, including the current status and the assistance FEMA has provided to date, please visit: www.dhs.gov/xprepresp/programs/gc_1196093616967.shtm. This page includes detailed information about high priority projects in:

Hancock County, Mississippi
St. Bernard Parish, Louisiana
New Orleans, Louisiana

For the latest status of FEMA's Public Assistance funding for the Gulf Coast, please refer to our weekly reports: www.fema.gov/hazard/hurricane/2005katrina/weekly.shtm.