Archives

Washington, D.C. - November 24, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- U.S. Representative Charles W. Boustany, Jr., (R-Southwest Louisiana), today commended the Federal Emergency Management Agency for their efforts to assist Hurricane Rita survivors’ transition into long-term housing. FEMA announced today they are initiating a plan to help relocate the remaining residents still in temporary housing from the 2005 storms through federal, state, local and voluntary agency efforts

WASHINGTON D.C. - September 24, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Today, U.S. Congressman Charlie Melancon (LA-03) supported extension of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) for one year, through September 30, 2011. 500,000 Louisianians depend on the federal program to protect their homes and businesses. Congressman Melancon worked to pass a five-year extension of the flood insurance program in the House of Representatives last July. Unfortunately, the Senate failed to act on the five-year extension bill. The one-year extension passed by the House today will prevent the flood insurance program from expiring next week.

WASHINGTON, DC - September 24, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- U.S. Housing and Urban Development Secretary Shaun Donovan today awarded the City of New Orleans $1,042,684 to create a training program to help minority-owned businesses compete for contracting opportunities in federal and state-funded disaster recovery programs. The grant is provided through HUD’s Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program

NEW ORLEANS, Dc - September 13, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- In the five years since Hurricane Katrina struck the Gulf coast, the New Orleans metropolitan area lost 75,000 housing units or nearly 13 percent of its housing stock. In addition, the median monthly cost of housing rose by nearly 33 percent, from $662 in 2004 to $882 in 2009. These are among the key findings of a new housing survey presented today by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

CHALMETTE, LA - August 31, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- U.S. Rep. Charlie Melancon (D-LA) today joined students, teachers, and residents of St. Bernard Parish in recognizing the fifth anniversary of Hurricane Katrina’s landfall with the community’s Annual Day of Reflection breakfast. The memorial event, hosted by the St. Bernard Parish School Board, was held this morning at Chalmette High School and is an opportunity for the community to remember the losses they suffered because of Hurricane Katrina and the levee failures, while also celebrating the rebuilding progress and unity of spirit evident in St. Bernard today.

WASHINGTON, DC - July 5, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- U.S Reps. Charlie Melancon (D-La.) and Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) last night wrote the U.S. General Services Administration asking for answers on the trailers that are being used to house some workers cleaning up the oil from the BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. The trailers, originally provided to Gulf residents following Hurricane Katrina, were found to have unhealthy levels of formaldehyde, which is a carcinogen. The story was first reported in The New York Times.

Washington, DC - June 11, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- The U.S. House of Representatives passed the FHA Reform Act of 2010, a bill meant to bolster the Federal Housing Administration and help prevent another housing crisis.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - April 6, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) --Today, Congressman Charlie Melancon (LA-03) toured St. Bernard Fire Chief Thomas Stone’s home in Chalmette, inspecting the extensive damage caused by toxic Chinese drywall. They discussed how the toxic substances in the wallboard can create a fire hazard. Congressman Melancon also gave an update on pending legislation he is working for in Congress that would help homeowners cope with defective Chinese drywall.

WASHINGTON, DC - March 26, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Thanks to a little-known federal program, 46 low-income seniors who were displaced by Hurricane Katrina received a grand welcome home celebration today in New Orleans at the Terraces on Tulane senior housing community that will ultimately house 200 families

WASHINGTON, D.C. - March 26, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Congressman Charlie Melancon (La.-03) has sent a letter to committee leadership urging them to support an important Gulf Coast affordable housing provision as they work to finalize legislation extending various tax credits. This provision would boost the construction of affordable housing along the Gulf Coast. It could help rebuild more than 6,000 homes along the Gulf Coast – resulting in $715 million in local income and more than 13,500 local jobs in the region. Specifically, the provision would extend by two years the length of time tax incentives are available for rebuilding affordable housing in hurricane-damaged communities in Louisiana, Alabama and Mississippi.

WASHINTON D.C. - March 25, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Congressman Charlie Melancon (LA-03) voted this week in support of a series of bills to provide more opportunity to U.S. veterans, particularly those who are looking for jobs or are homeless. The measures would increase on-the-job training opportunities for returning veterans, prevent mortgage lenders from foreclosing on a veteran’s home after their service, and make sure payments for disabled veterans keep pace with the cost of living. Also included in the series was legislation to strengthen the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs’ work to fight and end homelessness. An estimated 131,000 U.S. veterans are homeless nationwide

WASHINGTON, D.C. - March 12, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) -- Congressman Charlie Melancon (LA-03) announced today that the St. Bernard Sheriff’s Office has been awarded $8,742,938.22 in federal reimbursement grants. This investment, funded by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, will reimburse the sheriff’s office for utility costs for their temporary housing facilities incurred from July 2008 through August 2009. Storm surge and flooding from Hurricane Katrina caused such extensive damage to St. Bernard Parish that the sheriff’s office has been providing temporary housing facilities since the storm for essential law enforcement personnel as the community continues to rebuild

BATON ROUGE, LA - January 7, 2010 - (RealEstateRama) --Today, Governor Bobby Jindal announced the appointment of Roy Burst to the State Board of Home Inspectors. The State Board of Home Inspectors serves to regulate the practice of home inspectors by examining all applicants and issuing licenses or permits to those possessing the necessary qualifications

RAYVILLE, LA - December 17, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- Today, Governor Bobby Jindal awarded four grants totaling $110,000 to Richland Parish that will go towards infrastructure improvements. Governor Jindal awarded the funds to local officials in a ceremonial check presentation during an event in Rayville.

Sends Letter to Federal Agency Urging Quick Action on Establishing Repair Guidelines for Homes. WASHINGTON, D.C. - November 30, 2009 - (RealEstateRama) -- U.S. Congressman Charlie Melancon (LA-03) commented today on a new report from a federal agency finding a strong association between defective Chinese drywall and corrosion of pipes and electrical wiring in homes. The report from the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission also found a possible link between the drywall and health problems reported by homeowners