Public meeting today on LRA housing plan

The Louisiana Recovery Authority is hosting a community meeting in New Orleans today, from 3 to 9 p.m., at NOCCA (2800 Chartres Street). Citizens don't have to be present for the entire meeting -- they can simply make their comments at any time during the meeting and then leave.

The LRA meeting is being held to collect feedback from the public on Governor Blanco's proposed housing rebuilding and buyout plan, "The Road Home":

Gov. Blanco has committed $7.5 billion in federal funds to the homeowner assistance program and $1.62 billion for rental reinvestment. The program relies on the approval of $4.2 billion in hurricane recovery aid under consideration in Congress.

Yesterday the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee passed the supplemental appropriations bill that includes the $4.2 billion in aid. Gov. Blanco, who was in the committee room in Washington, D.C. when it was approved, said the action "will allow us to fully fund our housing program and will enable our citizens to rebuild, repair or relocate."

The public may comment on the plan through Monday, April 17th, by logging onto www.LouisianaRebuilds.info, or by writing the Office of Community Development at P.O. Box 94095, Baton Rouge, LA 70804-9095, or by faxing their comments to 225-342-1947.

I also found an online comment form at www.doa.louisiana.gov/cdbg/DRHousing.htm.

The plan will be available in Spanish and Vietmanese. It also can be obtained by calling 225-342-7412.

After the comment period, the plan will go to the Louisiana Legislature for consideration being submitted to the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, which administers the federal dollars.