FEMA Provides Katrina-Related Funding For New Orleans Public Housing Development
NEW ORLEANS, LA – April 29, 2011 – (RealEstateRama) — The Federal Emergency Management Agency recently announced nearly $1.5 million in funding to the Housing Authority of New Orleans, aiding in the construction of public housing units at the new Guste II housing development.
During Hurricane Katrina, several HANO-owned facilities were damaged, including eight units of public housing located at Old Gentilly Road. These eight units – addresses 6641-6647 and 6609-6615 – were completely destroyed, rendering them eligible for replacement funding under FEMA’s Public Assistance Program.
FEMA’s recent grant approves HANO’s improved project request, which asked the federal agency to combine funding from the damaged Old Gentilly Road units into one consolidated project worksheet. As a result, this newly combined grant supports HANO’s desire to construct four new duplexes of public housing at the site of their Guste II housing redevelopment project, located at 1301 Simon Bolivar Avenue.
“These new units, which emulate the character and styles of traditional New Orleans housing, will continue to serve the same general public within Orleans Parish as before the storm,” said FEMA’s Louisiana Recovery Office Deputy Director of Programs Andre Cadogan. “By consolidating the previous sites onto one plot of land, HANO is able to provide affordable rental housing that is modern, energy efficient and functionally suited to the needs and lifestyles of modern day families.”
In total, once complete, there will be eight duplexes (16 units) of rental public housing at Guste II. In addition to the four being funded by FEMA, the other four duplexes are being financed through capital funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
“HANO is excited to receive $1.5 million of FEMA grant funding to assist with the development of 16 multifamily units at Guste Phase II,” said HANO Administrative Receiver David Gilmore. “HANO’s experience working with FEMA on this and other similar projects has been excellent, and thanks to this partnership, the Guste Resident Management Corporation will be able to provide high quality affordable housing to 16 families displaced by Hurricane Katrina.”
To date, FEMA has obligated approximately $80.3 million in Public Assistance funding to HANO to assist with their recovery efforts following hurricanes Katrina and Rita.
When FEMA approves projects through its supplemental Public Assistance grant, the funds are made available to the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security & Emergency Preparedness, who disburses them to the applicant for eligible work completed.
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’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards.
