FEMA Funding Supports Essential Community Programs 

Release Date: October 8, 2009
Release Number: 1603-881

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NEW ORLEANS - Disadvantaged residents throughout New Orleans will continue to receive vital community services with a recent $1.1 million federal grant, announced the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the Louisiana Recovery Office (LRA) and the Governor's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (GOHSEP).

FEMA provided the public assistance grant to the private, non-profit Economic Development Unit (EDU), which will use the funding to repair its facility on Jefferson Davis Parkway and Thalia Street. During Hurricane Katrina, EDU's five-building facility incurred damages to its windows, doors, floors, walls, ceilings and communications and electrical systems.

While the storm's impact greatly damaged these buildings, it could not deter EDU's mission to develop and expand social services in New Orleans. The funding that has been made available today, will quicken the pace of recovery so that EDU, can again make use of these buildings; bringing a variety of essential public services to local residents. Although the EDU facility currently is not fully restored, it is repaired to an extent that has allowed one of its former non-profits, Total Community Action, Inc. (TCA), to once again provide public service from its facility.

"We are most appreciative to FEMA for their efforts in helping us return our buildings to their Pre-Katrina status, which enables us to continue to provide the necessary facilities for TCA to resume their vital services to our community," said EDU Managing Director Cheryl Phoenix. "I also want to thank the staff of GOHSEP and FEMA for their continuing hard work and dedication to our projects."

TCA is once again opening its doors to provide public services to New Orleanians, such as job counseling and guidance, transportation for the elderly and disabled, commodity distribution, individual and family development accounts, homelessness prevention and other services.

"Private non-profit organizations such as the Economic Development Unit and Total Community Action provide essential community services, often including educational and counseling services to the public," said FEMA's Louisiana Transitional Recovery Office Acting Director Tony Russell. "FEMA recognizes the positive impact and necessity for these services in New Orleans and is committed to a recovery that supports the continuation of such important work."

FEMA's recent grant will help ensure the facility and its community service undertakings are fully reestablished to EDU's pre-Katrina operations.

"Non-profits have played an important role in helping Louisiana's citizens get back on their feet after the four storms we endured in three years. They are a vital part of the overall recovery efforts in New Orleans and throughout the state," LRA Executive Director Paul Rainwater said.

When FEMA approves projects through its supplemental Public Assistance grant, the funds are transferred to a federal Smartlink account. Once the funds have reached this account, the applicant can request reimbursement from the Governor's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness for eligible work completed. Obligated funds may change over time as the project worksheet is a living grant that is often adjusted as bids come in and scope of work is aligned.

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.

Created in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Rita in 2005, the Louisiana Recovery Authority (LRA) is the coordinating and planning body leading the most extensive rebuilding effort in American history. The central point for hurricane recovery in Louisiana, the LRA works closely with the Governor's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (GOHSEP) and partners with state and federal agencies to oversee more than $20 billion worth of programs, speed the pace of rebuilding, remove hurdles and red tape and ensure that Louisiana recovers safer and stronger than before.

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.

Last Modified: Thursday, 08-Oct-2009 10:30:29