GOHSEP RELEASE
October 27, 2016
Louisiana Shelter at Home Program Reaches Another Milestone
Baton Rouge, LA (October 27) – The Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (GOHSEP) is announcing another milestone for the Shelter at Home Program. More than 5,000 homes have received temporary repairs through this program. This means more than 5,000 families can return to live in a safe, secure and habitable space in their own home while they continue long-term rebuilding. 21,552 people signed up for Shelter at Home since the registration for this first-of-its kind program opened nearly two months ago.
5,195 homes have been completed. Repairs are taking place on another 4,480. Registration for Shelter at Home officially started August 29th.
“We are glad to see many families and individuals returning to their homes through Shelter at Home and other housing programs, but we realize there is still much left to be done. Nearly everyone we spoke with as the floodwaters dropped told us about the importance of keeping our communities whole, “ said GOHSEP Jim Waskom. “Shelter at Home was developed through the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Public Assistance (PA) program as a way to offer our citizens critical help with temporary repairs to their homes, along with the financial help available through FEMA’s Individual Assistance (IA) program and disaster loans through the Small Business Administration (SBA). Through Shelter at Home, thousands now have a chance to remain in their neighborhoods as they develop their personal, long range recovery plans. Other states recently impacted by Hurricane Matthew have started contacting GOHSEP to possibly implement the same type program.”
You can check the status of your Shelter at Home application by calling 1-800-927-0216.
The Shelter at Home Program evaluates each applicant’s home. If up to $15,000 in temporary repairs can be made to a home creating a safe, secure, habitable place for the family to live while they continue their permanent home rebuilding, then that applicant may be eligible for this program. Contractors and subcontractors involved in the program will perform initial work such as mucking out the house, basic electrical restoration, installing a basic water heater, removing wet wall insulation, and providing up to $500 in basic cooking or refrigerating appliances. This work will be provided at no out-of-pocket cost to the eligible homeowner. This assistance will not affect determination of any Individual Assistance grant from FEMA.
Direct payments to homeowners is not an option for programs offered through FEMA’s Public Assistance.
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Monitor DOTD’s www.511la.org website for updated road closure information. You can find the latest information on the state’s response at www.emergency.la.gov. GOHSEP also provides information on Facebook and Twitter. You can receive emergency alerts on most smartphones and tablets by downloading the new Alert FM App. It is free for basic service. You can also download the Louisiana Emergency Preparedness Guide and find other information at www.getagameplan.org.