Apr 1, 2008 thru Jun 30, 2008 Performance Report

Grant Number:
B-06-DG-22-0001

Grantee Name:
State of Louisiana

Grant Amount:
$6,210,000,000.00

Grant Status:
Active

Submitted By:
No Submitter Found
Obligation Date:
05/16/2006

Award Date:
05/09/2006

Contract End Date:


Reviewed By HUD:
Reviewed and Approved


Disasters:
Declaration Number
FEMA-DR-1603-LA
FEMA-DR-1607-LA


Plan Description:
Hurricane’s Katrina and Rita legacy to coastal Louisiana was an unprecedented wake of death, destruction and devastation. Taken together, 1,464 people lost their lives, more than 200,000 homes and 18,000 businesses were destroyed and billions of dollars in property was impacted. Hurricane Katrina approached New Orleans and the Louisiana-Mississippi state border on August 29, 2005 at a Category 5 level, and the fifth-strongest ever recorded hurricane. Before reaching land it was downgraded to a Category 3, but caused massive destruction and severe damage up to 76 miles east of the storm’s center. Orleans, Plaquemines, and St. Bernard Parishes suffered widespread flooding as a result of storm surge overtopping or breaching area levees. Along the north shore of Lake Pontchartrain, up to six feet of water inundated the cities of Mandeville and Slidell. The City of New Orleans was under a mandatory evacuation for more than a month. Less than a month later on September 24, Hurricane Rita, the second strongest ever to enter the Gulf of Mexico came ashore, also as a Category 3, and flooded the coastal areas of southwestern Louisiana in the area around Lake Charles, impacting nearly a half million households. Hurricane Katrina will most likely be categorized as the third deadliest and the costliest storm in U. S. history. While hurricane Rita exacted a lower death toll, taken together, these storms wrought catastrophic destruction on the Louisiana coastal areas, exacting an enormous toll on the material, financial and emotional resources of hundred’s of thousands of Louisianans. While the impact was wide-spread and indiscriminate of income and social status, the impact of the hurricanes on the poor was particularly devastating, especially in Orleans Parish where the U.S. Census in 2000 reports only a 46.5% homeownership rate (compared to 67.9% in the State), a median household income of $27,133 (compared to $32,566 in the State), and a poverty rate of 27.9% (compared to a state rate of 19.6%). In contrast, while Calcasieu, Cameron, Plaquemines and St. Bernard Parishes sustained major damage, they had higher homeownership rates (ranging between 71% and 85%), higher median incomes (ranging between $34,000 and $38,000) and lower poverty rates (12% to 18%). The concentration and number or persons in extreme poverty neighborhoods exacerbated the negative impact on the poor principally in New Orleans. According to the Brookings Institution (October 2005), one out of every four neighborhoods in the city of New Orleans was classified as an “extreme-poverty” neighborhood, with at least 40% of its residents living below the federal poverty threshold. These 47 neighborhoods were home to nearly 100,000 residents and had an average household income which lagged the City’s by over $17,000. The Congressional Research Service (CRS) calculates that the poverty rate in the flooded and damaged areas in the State of Louisiana was 21.4%, confirming the widespread sentiment that high poverty neighborhoods were disproportionately flooded (CRS, November 4, 2005). The social impacts were also greater for those most vulnerable before the storms. These individuals were less connected to the workforce, had educational disadvantages, were elderly or disabled, or were children. Nearly 90,000 persons aged 65 and older were likely displaced by the storms, many of whom lived alone and had at least one disability. Displaced aged persons also were poor (an estimated 15%) and one quarter lacked vehicles. The child poverty rate in the areas affected by the hurricanes was over 30% (CRS, November 4, 2005). The fragility of the most affected populations places a greater burden on the federal, state and local resources available for recovery efforts. The poor standing of the impacted population before the hurricanes severely stretches Louisiana’s state and local resources, making the need for federal assistance even more critical.


Recovery Needs:
The current and projected financial impact on Louisiana from Hurricanes Katrina and Rita has reached into the tens of billions of dollars, according to estimates from a number of groups, think tanks and government agencies. Given the extensiveness of the damage, there is a great deal of uncertainty regarding estimates of the impact on property, on governments and on the economy. The variation in the estimates of different organizations creates a greater challenge for the State in assessing its needs and the resources necessary to address those needs. For example, according to preliminary estimates from the Louisiana Recovery Authority (LRA), the Governor’s State-wide coordinating body for all recovery efforts, the 2005 hurricanes had an impact of $75 - $100 billion on property and infrastructure and $15 - $20 billion in temporary relief services. However, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) projects an $18 - $25 billion impact on property and infrastructure. For the State’s economy, the LRA states that the storms are expected to inflict from $50 - $70 billion in losses to Louisiana’s economy (defined as nominal Gross State Product) and cause $8 - $10 billion in lost state and local revenue over the next five years. On the other hand, the Louisiana Legislative Fiscal Office projects a $40 - $60 billion impact on the economy and a $4 - $8 billion in lost revenues. Even before the hurricanes, the State was in a precarious situation, with many unmet needs in the areas of infrastructure, education, economic investment, health care and social services. The impact of the storms on the executive budget and on state revenues makes it even more difficult to deal with the critical needs caused by the hurricanes without substantial assistance from the federal government. According to FEMA, the total number of applicants for FEMA assistance related to hurricanes Katrina and Rita was 1.89 million as of January 10, 2006. These applicants have received individual level assistance such as clothing, food, and temporary housing as described below. Additional resources are needed for the estimated 900 families or 2,700 people that have exhausted the subsidized hotel room assistance as of February 7, 2006.


Overall This Report Period To Date
Total Projected Budget from All Sources N/A 8,251,163,538
Total CDBG Disaster Recovery Grant Funds Budgeted N/A 6,149,547,382
Program Funds Drawdown 54,954,490.6 4,435,211,895.9
Obligated CDBG DR Funds 4,724,497.18 4,998,175,693.41
Expended CDBG DR Funds 42,506,718.19 4,421,191,581.6
Match Contributed 0 -1,425,000,000
Program Income Received 319,987.72 1,607,339.2



Progress Toward Required Numeric Targets
Requirement Required To Date
Minimum Overall Benefit Percentage 50 53.2
Minimum Non-Federal Match 0 -1,425,000,000
Limit on Public Services 931,741,100.88 6,814,931.79
Limit on Admin/Planning 1,242,321,467.84 21,606,184.31
Limit on State Admin 310,580,366.96 0


Overall Progress Narrative:
The Disaster Recovery Unit (DRU) of Louisiana’s Office of Community Development (OCD) continues to develop and implement recovery programs approved by HUD and supported via federal and state funding. The OCD-DRU's plans and program designs continue to respond to HUD directives, citizen input, and local officials’ concerns. Even as policies and procedures adjust to a dynamic administrative environment, solid progress is evident on several fronts. Within the three major areas of housing, infrastructure, and economic development, the OCD-DRU has 23 programs funded by this appropriation 5 of which receive funding from both the first and second federal disaster appropriations (H2HO, H2OO-LMI, H2OO-UN, H2RP, and S2AD). All Piggyback funding has been moved to the funding received under the second disaster recovery appropriation. Particularly noteworthy are the milestones achieved in the Homeowner’s Assistance program which is HAOO in Action Plan 1 and H2OO in Action Plan 2. As of June 30, 2008, 185,106 applications have been received and recorded; 222,584 homeowner appointments have been held; and money has been requested for the closing of 114,442 homeowners. This program, also known as the Road Home program, is the OCD-DRU’s most complex activity and the single largest housing program ever undertaken in US history. An additional advancement in this program is seen in the increase in the pace with which awards are distributed. The OCD-DRU has taken strides forward in infrastructure and economic development as well. The structures for several programs are established, requests for proposals (RFPs) have been issued, proposals have been reviewed, and contracts have been signed. The State of Louisiana has built upon the progress from the previous quarter, achieved notable success in this quarter, and is poised for even more demonstrable results in the next quarter.



Activities



Grantee Activity ID:
Admin (SAAD)

Activity Category:
Administration

Activity Status:
Under Way

Responsible Organization:
Office of Community Development, Disaster Recovery Units
Projected Start Date:
05/09/2006

Projected End Date:
05/09/2016

National Objective:
N/A


  This Report Period To Date
Total Projected Budget from All Sources N/A 148,680,000
Total CDBG Disaster Recovery Grant Funds Budgeted N/A 148,680,000
Program Funds Drawdown 2,505,805.21 13,733,159.01
Obligated CDBG DR Funds 0 23,846,712.18
Expended CDBG DR Funds 2,532,787.31 13,733,159.08
Match Contributed 0 0
Program Income Received 0 0


Performance Measures
 
This Report Period
Cumulative Actual Total / Expected
  Low Mod Total Low Mod Total
No Performance Measures Found


Activity Description:
Supports the administrative work conducted to implement disaster recovery projects funded with these resources. This includes technical assistance as well as general administrative costs.


Location Description:
Office of Community Development (OCD)


Activity Progress Narrative:
The Disaster Recovery Unit (DRU) of the Office of Community Development (OCD), Division of Administration (DOA), was created in the aftermath of the 2005 Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. The DRU administers the CDBG Disaster Recovery funds approved by Congress on December 23, 2005; June 30, 2007; and January 15, 2008. Personnel were hired from around the United States, as well as, within Louisiana with experience in all aspects of CDBG programs. Managers and staff were retained in the areas of homeownership housing; multifamily, rental, and supportive housing; infrastructure; economic development; policy and reporting; legal; and financial and auditing. Experienced employees of the OCD CDBG Program provide training as needed to new hires. In addition, the OCD continues to supply CDBG training in partnership with the Council of State Community Development Agencies and ICF International. The DOA’s resources are available to augment the DRU with expertise in budgeting, accounting, reporting, contract review, and legal matters. The DRU is in close contact with the Louisiana Legislative Auditors. Currently, there are 3 separate teams from the LLA assigned to the DRU, with approximately 30 employees. At the close of this quarter, the OCD-DRU had 54 full-time employees, 6 part-time employees, 2 student workers, and 6 positions designated to be filled. The DRU received approval in September, 2006, to raise the total number of staff to 74. The administrative budget is used to fund salaries and related benefits, travel expenses, operating supplies and services, professional services, and inter-agency transfers. As the OCD-DRU further develops and implements program monitoring plans this quarter, travel expenses have increased. The state follows the State Procurement Code. All sub-recipients are required to follow Title 24 Part 84 and Part 85. Monitoring plans are still being developed for the new disaster recovery activities funded under this program. On November 9, 2007, HUD approved Action Plan One, Amendment 16, which decreased funding for technical assistance by $3,000.000.00.


Activity Location:
Address City State Zip
No Activity Locations Found


Other Funding Sources Budgeted - Detail
Match Sources Amount
No Other Match Funding Sources Found


Other Funding Sources Amount
No Other Funding Sources Found




Grantee Activity ID:
Admin Technical Assistance - (SATA)

Activity Category:
Administration

Activity Status:
Under Way

Responsible Organization:
Projected Start Date:
05/30/2006

Projected End Date:
05/30/2045

National Objective:
N/A


  This Report Period To Date
Total Projected Budget from All Sources N/A 9,420,000
Total CDBG Disaster Recovery Grant Funds Budgeted N/A 9,420,000
Program Funds Drawdown 0 21,493.93
Obligated CDBG DR Funds 0 21,493.93
Expended CDBG DR Funds 0 21,493.93
Match Contributed 0 0
Program Income Received 0 0


Performance Measures
 
This Report Period
Cumulative Actual Total / Expected
  Low Mod Total Low Mod Total
No Performance Measures Found


Activity Description:
Provides funding for technical assistance to the Office of Community Development for the administration of the disaster recover program.


Location Description:


Activity Progress Narrative:
No activity this quarter.


Activity Location:
Address City State Zip
No Activity Locations Found


Other Funding Sources Budgeted - Detail
Match Sources Amount
No Other Match Funding Sources Found


Other Funding Sources Amount
No Other Funding Sources Found




Grantee Activity ID:
Bldg Code - SB (HBCE)

Activity Category:
Code enforcement

Activity Status:
Under Way

Responsible Organization:
OCD in partnership with the Department of Public Safety (DPS), contracting Louisiana Institute for Building Technology and Safety (LA IBTS)
Projected Start Date:
01/01/2007

Projected End Date:
12/06/2007

National Objective:
Slums and Blight


  This Report Period To Date
Total Projected Budget from All Sources N/A 5,125,500
Total CDBG Disaster Recovery Grant Funds Budgeted N/A 5,125,500
Program Funds Drawdown 172,953.22 4,670,807.04
Obligated CDBG DR Funds 0 8,900,635.65
Expended CDBG DR Funds 172,953.22 4,670,807.04
Match Contributed 0 0
Program Income Received 0 0


Performance Measures
 
This Report Period
Cumulative Actual Total / Expected
  Low Mod Total Low Mod Total
# of Plans Reviewed 0 0 267 0/0 0/0 943/1,405
# of Building Inspections 0 0 1,349 0/0 0/0 10,577/7,946
# of Electrical Inspections 0 0 641 0/0 0/0 13,040/9,812


Activity Description:
Without special assistance being provided to local governments, it is expected that a major impediment to housing development will be the lack of building, electrical and plumbing inspectors and permit processing staff. In addition, architects and builders will need inspectors and plan reviewers to help communities adapt to the new State Uniform Construction Code and to interpret the latest available advisory base flood elevations. Therefore, the State has budgeted $11,390,000 for the hiring and training of such staff for local government over a number of years, based on the numbers of damaged/destroyed units in each parish. It is expected that this amount will fund at least 70 field inspectors and plan reviewers, as well as a limited number of support staff. The State will also support the expansion of code enforcement capacity by sponsoring additional training opportunities for inspectors, engineers and architects. While building code enforcement by local authorities will be supported by permitting and inspection fees in the long run, this initial CDBG funding is necessary to immediately expand enforcement capacity to expedite the construction of safer and stronger homes where the storm impact was most concentrated. Until the activity is started, the exact number of buildings and housing units that are brought up to code is unknown.


Location Description:
11 most disaster affected parishes


Activity Progress Narrative:
In June of 2008, the Institute for Building Technology and Safety (IBTS) continued to deploy personnel to assist with code inspections, plan evaluations, code permitting, and training in the 11 most impacted parishes. Although the contract was extended, the funding amount requires a prioritization of parishes by IBTS. In addition, IBTS is beginning to decrease its staff in anticipation of the termination of the contract. This is occurring mostly through attrition. June activities included: Plan Reviews – 140 (3,675 total), Building Inspections – 1,330 (23,903 total); Electrical Inspections – 447 (22,714 total); Mechanical Inspections – 140 (4,811 total); Plumbing Inspections – 154 (9,636 total); and Persons Trained – 11 (341 total). This was only a six-month contract, but because the parishes and cities requested assistance for at least another year, a contract extension was approved by the OCD-DRU in November of 2007.


Activity Location:
Address City State Zip
No Activity Locations Found


Other Funding Sources Budgeted - Detail
Match Sources Amount
No Other Match Funding Sources Found


Other Funding Sources Amount
No Other Funding Sources Found




Grantee Activity ID:
Bldg Code - UN (HBCE)

Activity Category:
Code enforcement

Activity Status:
Under Way

Responsible Organization:
OCD in partnership with the Department of Public Safety (DPS), sub-contracting Louisiana Institute for Building Technology and Safety (LA IBTS)
Projected Start Date:
01/01/2007

Projected End Date:
12/06/2007

National Objective:
Urgent Need


  This Report Period To Date
Total Projected Budget from All Sources N/A 6,264,500
Total CDBG Disaster Recovery Grant Funds Budgeted N/A 6,264,500
Program Funds Drawdown 211,387.27 5,708,764.17
Obligated CDBG DR Funds 0 2,489,364.35
Expended CDBG DR Funds 211,387.27 5,708,764.17
Match Contributed 0 0
Program Income Received 0 0


Performance Measures
 
This Report Period
Cumulative Actual Total / Expected
  Low Mod Total Low Mod Total
# of Plans Reviewed 0 0 141 0/0 0/0 2,911/1,149
# of Building Inspections 0 0 2,148 0/0 0/0 16,645/6,501
# of Electrical Inspections 0 0 948 0/0 0/0 14,319/8,028
# of Mechanical Inspections 0 0 306 0/0 0/0 4,811/2,968
# of Plumbing Inspections 0 0 402 0/0 0/0 9,636/7,780
# of People Trained 0 0 30 0/0 0/0 364/92


Activity Description:
See Bldg Code-SB (HBCE) Activity Description.


Location Description:
See Bldg Code-SB (HBCE) Location Description.


Activity Progress Narrative:
See Activity Narrative for Bldg Code - SB (HBCE).


Activity Location:
Address City State Zip
No Activity Locations Found


Other Funding Sources Budgeted - Detail
Match Sources Amount
No Other Match Funding Sources Found


Other Funding Sources Amount
No Other Funding Sources Found




Grantee Activity ID:
Bridge Loan-UN (EBLP)

Activity Category:
Econ. development or recovery activity that creates/retains jobs

Activity Status:
Under Way

Responsible Organization:
Office of Community Development (OCD), Disaster Recovery Unit (DRU)
Projected Start Date:
09/15/2006

Projected End Date:
12/31/2012

National Objective:
Urgent Need


  This Report Period To Date
Total Projected Budget from All Sources N/A 45,647,368
Total CDBG Disaster Recovery Grant Funds Budgeted N/A 45,647,368
Program Funds Drawdown 0 5,392,209.1
Obligated CDBG DR Funds 0 45,647,368
Expended CDBG DR Funds 0 5,392,209.1
Match Contributed 0 0
Program Income Received 319,987.72 1,482,123.36


Performance Measures
 
This Report Period
Cumulative Actual Total / Expected
  Low Mod Total Low Mod Total
# of Businesses 0 0 0 0/0 0/0 1,140/547
# of Persons benefitting 0 0 0 0/0 0/0 608/0


Activity Description:
This program provided temporary six-month working capital loan guarantees to owners of small businesses with less than 100 employees. There were three different releases of bridge loan funds. Each release varied slightly in how it was administered. The first bridge loan program was for $10 million, the second totaled $30 million and the last installment totaled $55 million. The Bridge Loan program had no leverage requirement; therefore, information on the amount of private funds generated by the businesses is unavailable. The number of businesses reported could include businesses that have more than one bridge loan.


Location Description:
In Hurricanes Katrina and Rita affected parishes.


Activity Progress Narrative:
The application for the Enhanced Bridge Loan Program was revised and posted on the website in August, 2006. The application deadline was December 29, 2006. The total obligation for the 3 programs is approximately $45,000,000. As of June of 2008, 23 recipients have signed workout agreements amounting to $1,116,470.00. The state of Louisiana has paid $4,245,283.00 in defaulted bridge loans. The state has collected back $1,852,796.52 of the defaulted loans. The amount collected back is 44% of the amount paid out.


Activity Location:
Address City State Zip
No Activity Locations Found


Other Funding Sources Budgeted - Detail
Match Sources Amount
No Other Match Funding Sources Found


Other Funding Sources Amount
No Other Funding Sources Found




Grantee Activity ID:
Capacity Grant - LMI (HCAP)

Activity Category:
Public services

Activity Status:
Under Way

Responsible Organization:
Office of Community Development in coordination with nonprofit organizations.
Projected Start Date:
12/13/2006

Projected End Date:
12/31/2007

National Objective:
Low/Mod


  This Report Period To Date
Total Projected Budget from All Sources N/A 1,552,500
Total CDBG Disaster Recovery Grant Funds Budgeted N/A 1,552,500
Program Funds Drawdown 0 1,001,267.25
Obligated CDBG DR Funds 0 1,927,500
Expended CDBG DR Funds 0 1,001,267.25
Match Contributed 0 0
Program Income Received 0 0


Performance Measures
 
This Report Period
Cumulative Actual Total / Expected
  Low Mod Total Low Mod Total
# of Public Facilities 0 0 0 0/0 0/0 0/0
# of Persons benefitting 0 0 0 0/0 0/0 0/0


Activity Description:
The State developed a program to strengthen community-based nonprofits and/or faith-based institutions already providing housing recovery services through the investment of $2,070,000 of CDBG funds in their activities. The funds will be used to provide housing counseling and outreach to homeowners accessing assistance under the Road Home homeowner assistance program, as well as those homeowners who have not yet completed a Road Home application. This CDBG funded activity will also be utilized for limited legal services to assist mostly low-income clients seeking assistance from the Road Home homeowner assistance program. Services to be provided shall be on a state-wide as-needed basis. Outreach and Housing Counseling assistance may be provided on a limited basis to displaced homeowners living out –of –state. A single non-profit organization will be selected through an RFP process to provide coordination and administrative oversight in the delivery of the legal services through that organization as well as through other qualified non-profit organizations. The successful proposer may either subcontract services through other non-profit organizations to be approved by the State or the proposer may be a consortium of non-profits with a single designated principal organization for contracting and management purposes. For the housing counseling services, the mechanism for making these services available will be through the use of a prime contractor that would be responsible for identifying and assembling a geographically diverse group of nonprofit partners who collectively could provide these services. The selected contractor would be required to provide the variety of assistance that is needed for the preparation of a Road Home application. This includes transportation needs for displaced homeowners in the rural area parishes of the state so that homeowners with transportation challenges can attend required entrance and closing interviews at the Homeowner Assistance Center. In addition, support and application assistance to individuals in the form of language translation for individuals that have language barriers as is many times the case with applicants who are native Spanish, Vietnamese and French language users. Literacy support for individuals with low literacy levels that will experience challenges in understanding program requirements and associated paperwork is necessary. Support for persons with physical disabilities that may hinder them from completing the application process must be provided. Lastly, general support and guidance to the elderly in completing their application is essential for them to achieve maximum benefit under the program. The assistance provided under this section may also include helping clients gather all supporting documents required to complete an application from any relevant source agencies. Provision of document fee support is an allowable expense up to a certain limit. The performance measures on which we would like to report are as follows: # of Households Assisted (Face to Face Counseling) - LMI expected - 1,815 # of Households Assisted (Call Center) - LMI expected - 619


Location Description:
Disaster affected parishes


Activity Progress Narrative:
The ACORN Housing Corporation (AHC) contract was approved by the State Office of Contractual Review (OCR) on May 11, 2007 and ended on September 30, 2007. ACORN provided housing counseling and outreach for the Road Home Program to a total of 3,496 households. The Southeast Louisiana Legal Services (SLLS) contract was approved in June of 2007. OCD opted not to extend the contract so that ACORN Housing could move forward with its Financial Counseling Services contract with ICF. This contract is still awaiting final closeout. ACORN Housing is still in the process of providing supporting documentation and clarity to its final billing so that final payment can be made for contracted services. SLLS had 69 intakes completed during the month of June. Please note that the total number of intakes is defined as the total number of clients intaked but not assigned to an attorney. Only 69 of 300 intakes have completed applications. SLLS reports that there are still 611 clients on the waiting list to be called and to have an intake application completed. The total caseload for the month of June was 450 cases. The total caseload includes 331 active cases and 119 closed cases. A recent contract amendment was submitted to extend the contract through December 30, 2008. The amendment provides an additional $500,000 in funding to SLLS to allow for continued delivery of legal services as the current allocation will soon run out. The current $570,000 allocation will only partially cover clients intaked through late November and part of early December. The contract amendment was recently signed by SLLS and submitted to OCR for approval on June 10, 2008. The amendment is currently pending OCR approval.


Activity Location:
Address City State Zip
No Activity Locations Found


Other Funding Sources Budgeted - Detail
Match Sources Amount
No Other Match Funding Sources Found


Other Funding Sources Amount
No Other Funding Sources Found




Grantee Activity ID:
Capacity Grant - UN (HCAP)

Activity Category:
Public services

Activity Status:
Under Way

Responsible Organization:
Office of Community Development in coordination with nonprofit organizations.
Projected Start Date:
12/13/2006

Projected End Date:
12/31/2007

National Objective:
Urgent Need


  This Report Period To Date
Total Projected Budget from All Sources N/A 517,500
Total CDBG Disaster Recovery Grant Funds Budgeted N/A 517,500
Program Funds Drawdown 0 101,449.16
Obligated CDBG DR Funds 0 142,500
Expended CDBG DR Funds 0 101,449.16
Match Contributed 0 0
Program Income Received 0 0


Performance Measures
 
This Report Period
Cumulative Actual Total / Expected
  Low Mod Total Low Mod Total
# of Non-business Organizations benefitting 0 0 0 0/0 0/0 0/0


Activity Description:
The State developed a program to strengthen community-based nonprofits and/or faith-based institutions already providing housing recovery services through the investment of $2,070,000 of CDBG funds in their activities. The funds will be used to provide housing counseling and outreach to homeowners accessing assistance under the Road Home homeowner assistance program, as well as those homeowners who have not yet completed a Road Home application. This CDBG funded activity will also be utilized for limited legal services to assist mostly low-income clients seeking assistance from the Road Home homeowner assistance program. Services to be provided shall be on a state-wide as-needed basis. Outreach and Housing Counseling assistance may be provided on a limited basis to displaced homeowners living out –of –state. A single non-profit organization will be selected through an RFP process to provide coordination and administrative oversight in the delivery of the legal services through that organization as well as through other qualified non-profit organizations. The successful proposer may either subcontract services through other non-profit organizations to be approved by the State or the proposer may be a consortium of non-profits with a single designated principal organization for contracting and management purposes. For the housing counseling services, the mechanism for making these services available will be through the use of a prime contractor that would be responsible for identifying and assembling a geographically diverse group of nonprofit partners who collectively could provide these services. The selected contractor would be required to provide the variety of assistance that is needed for the preparation of a Road Home application. This includes transportation needs for displaced homeowners in the rural area parishes of the state so that homeowners with transportation challenges can attend required entrance and closing interviews at the Homeowner Assistance Center. In addition, support and application assistance to individuals in the form of language translation for individuals that have language barriers as is many times the case with applicants who are native Spanish, Vietnamese and French language users. Literacy support for individuals with low literacy levels that will experience challenges in understanding program requirements and associated paperwork is necessary. Support for persons with physical disabilities that may hinder them from completing the application process must be provided. Lastly, general support and guidance to the elderly in completing their application is essential for them to achieve maximum benefit under the program. The assistance provided under this section may also include helping clients gather all supporting documents required to complete an application from any relevant source agencies. Provision of document fee support is an allowable expense up to a certain limit. The performance measures on which we would like to report are as follows: # of Households Assisted (Face to Face Counseling) - Urgent Need expected - 605; # of Households Assisted (Call Center) - Urgent Need expected - 206


Location Description:
See Capacity Grant - LMI (HCAP) Location Description.


Activity Progress Narrative:
No activity for this national objective this quarter.


Activity Location:
Address City State Zip
No Activity Locations Found


Other Funding Sources Budgeted - Detail
Match Sources Amount
No Other Match Funding Sources Found


Other Funding Sources Amount
No Other Funding Sources Found




Grantee Activity ID:
Devt Fund - (HDEV)

Activity Category:
Rehabilitation/reconstruction of residential structures

Activity Status:
Under Way

Responsible Organization:
OCD and qualified financial institutions such as Enterprise Community Partners, Inc., and Local Initiatives Support Corporation.
Projected Start Date:
03/01/2007

Projected End Date:
02/28/2010

National Objective:
Low/Mod


  This Report Period To Date
Total Projected Budget from All Sources N/A 16,570,000
Total CDBG Disaster Recovery Grant Funds Budgeted N/A 16,570,000
Program Funds Drawdown 833,333.33 1,906,126.14
Obligated CDBG DR Funds 0 16,080,000
Expended CDBG DR Funds 833,333.33 1,906,126.14
Match Contributed 0 0
Program Income Received 0 0


Performance Measures
 
This Report Period
Cumulative Actual Total / Expected
  Low Mod Total Low Mod Total
# of Properties 0 0 1 0/0 0/0 1/0
# of housing units 0 0 107 0/0 0/0 347/1,125
# of Households benefitting 0 54 107 0/0 186/0 347/1,125


Activity Description:
The Housing Development Loan Fund would provide seed funding for a contractor or state agency to establish one or more loan funds that offer acquisition and predevelopment financing on flexible terms to developers of the most critically needed housing. Providing early, high-risk capital will be a powerful incentive for developers to build mixed-income housing in the communities that lost the most housing. Loans would be made to nonprofit and for-profit developers of new rental and single-family housing that is affordable to families with incomes that are below the area median, with a strong preference for well-designed residential communities and infill housing developments that also include families with incomes higher than the area median. The Housing Development Loan Fund would be operated by a state agency or an experienced community development loan fund manager. A total of $16,570,000 in CDBG funds, including fund management costs, will be invested as “top loss” capital in order to leverage an estimated $30 million in additional lending capital. As two priorities, the loan fund would target developers participating in the rental assistance programs described in the previous section, as well as developers of mixed-income for-sale housing. As projects close their construction financing, the acquisition/predevelopment loans would be repaid and the lending capital would become available for additional investments. In a three-year period, it is expected that the funds will recycle two to three times. This program is scheduled to close 40 loans. During this quarter 1 loan was received, reviewed and completed. As currently planned, the Housing Development Loan Fund would be operated on a contractual basis by one or more qualified financial institutions that are experienced in providing early-stage, high-risk property acquisition and predevelopment loans, as an incentive for developers to rebuild existing housing or build new housing at different price points, including affordable homes and rental units. These types of loans are typically not offered by conventional lenders, but instead by the numerous so-called "community development loan funds" across the country. These loan funds are able to take higher risks in lending by attracting risk-tolerant capital and guarantees from foundations and socially motivated investors. The goal should be to lend the funds at 0% and to subordinate these loans to the private capital in order to provide a strong incentive for developers and to leverage private capital. Many such funds receive some of their capital as grants from the Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFI) Fund of the Department of Treasury. Congress specifically directed the states receiving supplemental CDBG funding should consider the use of up to $20 million to fund recovery activities of two organizations that are experienced in operating such loan funds: Enterprise Community Partners, Inc., and Local Initiatives Support Corporation.


Location Description:
Disaster affected parishes


Activity Progress Narrative:
This program is combined contractually with the Housing Land Assembly Operations (HLAS) program. Th are collectively known as the Enterprise Louisiana Loan Fund. In the early months of this program the number of total applications received was lower than anticipated due to several factors including the timing of tax credit awards not coinciding with the availability of the loan fund resources and requests for loans being less than the minimum dollar amount established for the program. The contractors administering this program, Enterprise and LISC, identified and worked to refine the program and increase the number of applicants. LISC sent a mailing to over 130 persons including past housing credit participants, area networks, nonprofits, banks, and consultants working in the affordable housing field. Reporting and monitoring processes and criteria were refined to ensure thorough tracking of program goals. By the end of the 2nd Quarter of 2008, there were 9 complete HLAS and 6 complete HDEV applications. Also as of the end of the 2nd Quarter of 2008, four HLAS (early predevelopment) loans had closed (River Woods/40 units; Polder's Lane/135 units all below 80% Area Median Income (AMI); Renewal Homes/40 units; and C.J. Peete/ 460 units - 330 below 80%, 130 market rate) and two HDEV loans had closed (Renaissance Neighborhood Development Corporation/ 240 units - 132 below 80%, 108 up to 120%; Acadian Trace/ 107 units - 54 below 80%, 53 market rate).


Activity Location:
Address City State Zip
No Activity Locations Found


Other Funding Sources Budgeted - Detail
Match Sources Amount
No Other Match Funding Sources Found


Other Funding Sources Amount
No Other Funding Sources Found




Grantee Activity ID:
Educ Infras - LMI (IEDU)

Activity Category:
Rehabilitation/reconstruction of public facilities

Activity Status:
Under Way

Responsible Organization:
OCD, DOE and local school districts
Projected Start Date:
09/15/2006

Projected End Date:
09/15/2009

National Objective:
Low/Mod


  This Report Period To Date
Total Projected Budget from All Sources N/A 108,000,000
Total CDBG Disaster Recovery Grant Funds Budgeted N/A 108,000,000
Program Funds Drawdown 6,692,595.62 15,985,497.13
Obligated CDBG DR Funds 0 48,601,915.38
Expended CDBG DR Funds 0 9,292,901.51
Match Contributed 0 0
Program Income Received 0 0


Performance Measures
 
This Report Period
Cumulative Actual Total / Expected
  Low Mod Total Low Mod Total
# of Public Facilities 0 0 0 0/0 0/0 0/0
# of Non-business Organizations benefitting 0 0 0 0/0 0/0 0/0
# of Persons benefitting 526,863 238,569 1,401,039 2,809,936/0 1,272,368/0 4,717,911/0


Activity Description:
Of the $595 million now allocated to local emergency government infrastructure, $200 million is allocated for Primary and Secondary Education Infrastructure. Working with the LRA, the Department of Education will develop needs-based criteria to prioritize the allocation of the funds to the school districts. These funds will flow to the affected school districts through the Office of Community Development. Schools that are repaired or rebuilt shall demonstrate they have taken into account specific educational and repair goals to build back better facilities. In addition, rebuilding plans will address local community planning priorities, including opportunities for shared use of school facilities with other public agencies, such as libraries. The performance measures the State of Louisiana would like to report are as follows: Expected Low Mod Total # of School Districts Benefiting 0/3 0/16 # of Facilities Rehabilitated/Built 0/60 0/100


Location Description:
Disaster affected parishes


Activity Progress Narrative:
In March of 2007, PA Match applications were tested, finalized, and sent to all hurricane-affected school districts in April. OCD-DRU has met and discussed the application process with several potential applicants. OCD-DRU and LRA personnel visited with representatives of the most heavily impacted districts to discuss the program and answer questions. Although the match requirement has since been waived, OCD-DRU personnel continue working with school districts to assist them in completing applications for funding. On July 11, the Recovery School District (RSD) submitted 18 applications for program funding, which are currently being reviewed and revised. In September, the contract between OCD-DRU and the DOE was submitted to Office of Contractual Review for final approval. In December, the Recovery School District in Orleans Parish submitted 9 completed pay requests for over $11,000,000; all of which were approved for payment. In January of 2008, AP1, Amendment 19 was published for comment, which will increase funding for this program by $47,500,000. Also in January, over $15,000,000 were paid to the RSD. In February, the LRA Board approved AP1, Amendment 19 and AP2, Amendment 6. In March 2008, the OCD-DRU's contract with Hunt, Guillot and Associates (HGA) and Louisiana Solutions, the firms selected to act as the State's administrative consultants, was approved by the Office of Contractual Review. Grant managers from HGA have been working with school districts on gathering financial information and cooperative endeavor agreements. Once all documents are received and approved, the grant managers will begin assisting school boards with applications. As of June 30, 2008, sixteen districts have applied and their applications are in the approval or payment process.


Activity Location:
Address City State Zip
No Activity Locations Found


Other Funding Sources Budgeted - Detail
Match Sources Amount
No Other Match Funding Sources Found


Other Funding Sources Amount
No Other Funding Sources Found




Grantee Activity ID:
Educ Infras – UN (IEDU)

Activity Category:
Rehabilitation/reconstruction of public facilities

Activity Status:
Under Way

Responsible Organization:
OCD, DOE and local school districts
Projected Start Date:
09/15/2006

Projected End Date:
09/15/2009

National Objective:
Slums and Blight


  This Report Period To Date
Total Projected Budget from All Sources N/A 92,000,000
Total CDBG Disaster Recovery Grant Funds Budgeted N/A 92,000,000
Program Funds Drawdown 5,701,099.98 13,617,275.34
Obligated CDBG DR Funds 0 41,401,631.62
Expended CDBG DR Funds 0 7,916,175.36
Match Contributed 0 0
Program Income Received 0 0


Performance Measures
 
This Report Period
Cumulative Actual Total / Expected
  Low Mod Total Low Mod Total
# of Public Facilities 0 0 0 0/0 0/0 0/0
# of Non-business Organizations benefitting 0 0 0 0/0 0/0 0/0
# of Persons benefitting 0 0 0 0/0 0/0 2,754,297/0


Activity Description:
Of the $595 million now allocated to local emergency government infrastructure, $200 million is allocated for Primary and Secondary Education Infrastructure. Working with the LRA, the Department of Education will develop needs-based criteria to prioritize the allocation of the funds to the school districts. These funds will flow to the affected school districts through the Office of Community Development. Schools that are repaired or rebuilt shall demonstrate they have taken into account specific educational and repair goals to build back better facilities. In addition, rebuilding plans will address local community planning priorities, including opportunities for shared use of school facilities with other public agencies, such as libraries. The performance measures the State of Louisiana would like to report are as follows: Expected S&B Total # of School Districts Benefiting 0/13 0/16 # of Facilities Rehabilitated/Built 0/40 0/100


Location Description:
See Educ Infras – LMI (IEDU) Location Description.


Activity Progress Narrative:
See Activity Narrative for Educ Infras – LMI (IEDU).


Activity Location:
Address City State Zip
No Activity Locations Found


Other Funding Sources Budgeted - Detail
Match Sources Amount
No Other Match Funding Sources Found


Other Funding Sources Amount
No Other Funding Sources Found




Grantee Activity ID:
Enhancement (EDUC)

Activity Category:
Econ. development or recovery activity that creates/retains jobs

Activity Status:
Planned

Responsible Organization:
Projected Start Date:
01/03/2007

Projected End Date:
07/31/2010

National Objective:
Low/Mod


  This Report Period To Date
Total Projected Budget from All Sources N/A 28,500,000
Total CDBG Disaster Recovery Grant Funds Budgeted N/A 28,500,000
Program Funds Drawdown 2,380,027.6 2,380,027.6
Obligated CDBG DR Funds 0 28,500,000
Expended CDBG DR Funds 2,380,027.6 2,380,027.6
Match Contributed 0 0
Program Income Received 0 0


Performance Measures
 
This Report Period
Cumulative Actual Total / Expected
  Low Mod Total Low Mod Total
# of buildings (non-residential) 0 0 0 0/0 0/0 0/0
# of Persons benefitting 0 0 0 0/0 0/0 0/0
# of Permanent Jobs Created 0 0 0 0/0 0/0 0/0


Activity Description:
HUD approved the release of funds for the Research Commercialization and Educational Enhancement Program; outlined in OCD’s Action Plan One, Amendment 5; on January 3, 2007, to provide funding to retain and rebuild the research and educational capacity of the affected areas by developing a strategic plan and a pilot program based on the strategic plan. Eligible applicants would be limited to institutions of higher education in southeastern Louisiana. Action Plan One Amendment 5 declares eligible applicants are limited to institutions of higher education in the southeastern Louisiana: Baptist Theological Seminary, Delgado Community College, Dillard University, LSU Agricultural Center (hurricane-impacted facilities), LSU Health Sciences Center-New Orleans, Louisiana Universities Marine Consortium, Loyola University New Orleans, McNeese State University, Nunez Community College, Our Lady of Holy Cross College, Southern University-New Orleans, Sowela Technical Community College, Tulane Health Sciences Center, Tulane University, University of New Orleans, and Xavier University of Louisiana.


Location Description:
Disaster affected parishes.


Activity Progress Narrative:
The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the OCD-DRU and the LBR was approved by the Office of Contractual Review on September 10. After providing necessary budget and work plan info, the 11 sub-recipients were sent “Notice to Proceed” with one sub-recipient still needing a full environmental review before incurring construction expenses. Three project contracts with public universities were mailed on October 23, and 8 project contracts with not-for-profit universities were forwarded to the Office of Contractual Review on October 29. In November of 2007, all but 1 of the 8 approved private institutional sub-recipient agreements were received from the Office of Contractual Review (OCR). The LBR RC/EEP Program Manager, RC/EEP Auditor, OCD-DRU Director, and RC/EEP Program Manager conducted site visits with all sub-recipients and sub-contractors in November to ensure their systems support proper record keeping and administrative functions within the confines of CDBG regulations and OMB Circular A-21 requirements. In December, the Board of Regents RC/EEP Project Manager followed up with the sub-recipients in writing to provide clarification about a number of issues discussed during the November site visits. The RC/EEP Internal Auditor verified that all detailed composite budgets were accurately reconciled with the 3 year composite budgets. Preliminary planning also got underway for the first year audit of the projects. In January of 2008, the Board of Regents sub-recipients submitted their first Quarterly Program Reports on the electronic reporting system, LOGAN. A request for waiver was submitted to the OCD-DRU for approval on January 8 to allow LBR and its sub-recipients to adopt language on Program Income and Equipment from CFR 24 Parts 84 and 85 in lieu of CFR 24 Part 570. On February 21, 2008, the OCD-DRU submitted a revised version of this waiver to HUD for approval and as of April 30, 2008, nothing had been decided. By the end of the 2nd quarter of 2008; 121 articles had been published in or under consideration by peer-reviewed publications; 178 students recruited or retain in academic positions; 57 faculty recruited or retained in academic/research positions; and 17 technology transfers, disclosures, patents, licenses were applied for or received. On May 13, 2008 the RC/EEP Internal Auditor met with the McNeese State University (Lake Charles) Director of Research Services and Accountant to discuss the university’s policies and procedures and existing internal controls in order for him to document their internal controls in preparation for the attestation engagement. The first engagement will be conducted at McNeese in July. It is anticipated that most of the 11 RC/EEP sub-recipients will have remaining funds at the end of the contract period July 31, 2010. By June 30, 2008, nine of the sub-recipients had indicated they will have unspent funds at the close of the program.


Activity Location:
Address City State Zip
No Activity Locations Found


Other Funding Sources Budgeted - Detail
Match Sources Amount
No Other Match Funding Sources Found


Other Funding Sources Amount
No Other Funding Sources Found




Grantee Activity ID:
Env Contract (HENV)

Activity Category:
Planning

Activity Status:
Under Way

Responsible Organization:
OCD in coordination with contractor - Environ
Projected Start Date:
04/23/2007

Projected End Date:
05/30/2010

National Objective:
N/A


  This Report Period To Date
Total Projected Budget from All Sources N/A 4,283,475
Total CDBG Disaster Recovery Grant Funds Budgeted N/A 4,283,475
Program Funds Drawdown 68,906.98 464,516.05
Obligated CDBG DR Funds 0 4,283,475
Expended CDBG DR Funds 68,906.98 464,516.05
Match Contributed 0 0
Program Income Received 0 0


Performance Measures
 
This Report Period
Cumulative Actual Total / Expected
  Low Mod Total Low Mod Total
No Performance Measures Found


Activity Description:
As prescribed by program rules, the State must adhere to HUD’s regulations with respect to oversight of compliance with environmental statutes and authorities. The State has developed comprehensive procedures to ensure compliance with HUD’s CDBG program regulations for each funded project. The State will verify that each project that requires it has been environmentally cleared prior to any construction activity. In order to ensure that this responsibility is fulfilled, the services of an environmental consulting firm, Environs, will be engaged to evaluate and provide written analysis for a broad range of environmental studies. These evaluations will follow applicable laws and regulations, which may include the National Environmental Protection Act (NEPA) environmental review procedures relating to “HUD-CDBG” activities, and/or other local, state or federal environmental laws. Once the contract is signed, Environs will be responsible for the environmental review for approximately 2000 state buildings, as well as site-specific review of approximately 2,950 small rental units (from 1-4 units) to determine if historic preservation issues, such as historic structures and archaeological artifacts, are cleared before any new construction or reconstruction begins. These will be handled through the Environmental Section of OCD-DRU through the use of work orders and regular updates that are sent by Environs.


Location Description:
N/A


Activity Progress Narrative:
Since the signing of the contract with the OCD-DRU on May 8, 2007, ENVIRON has reviewed 1 Economic Development, 6700 Small Rental, and 143 Piggyback properties for state historic preservation compliance. Other activities resulting from this contract include archaeological monitoring during the removal of two swimming pools in St. Bernard parish for state historic preservation compliance requested by the Louisiana Land Trust and completion of an environmental review for the proposed Louisiana State University Agricultural Center located in Plaquemines Parish. Review of the Saenger Theater in New Orleans is ongoing. In addition, ENVIRON is continuing assessment work on 17 streetscape activities planned by the City of New Orleans as well as the housing development in Slidell. New projects include Press Drive landscaping, and rehabilitation of Hunter's Field in New Orleans. Environmental assessment has been completed on the old Sears building in Lake Charles.


Activity Location:
Address City State Zip
No Activity Locations Found


Other Funding Sources Budgeted - Detail
Match Sources Amount
No Other Match Funding Sources Found


Other Funding Sources Amount
No Other Funding Sources Found




Grantee Activity ID:
Fisheries (IFIS)

Activity Category:
Acquisition, construction,reconstruction of public facilities

Activity Status:
Planned

Responsible Organization:
Projected Start Date:
10/07/2007

Projected End Date:
10/07/2010

National Objective:
Low/Mod


  This Report Period To Date
Total Projected Budget from All Sources N/A 19,000,000
Total CDBG Disaster Recovery Grant Funds Budgeted N/A 19,000,000
Program Funds Drawdown 30,296.19 30,296.19
Obligated CDBG DR Funds 30,296.19 30,296.19
Expended CDBG DR Funds 30,296.19 30,296.19
Match Contributed 0 0
Program Income Received 0 0


Performance Measures
 
This Report Period
Cumulative Actual Total / Expected
  Low Mod Total Low Mod Total
# of Properties 0 0 0 0/0 0/0 0/0
# of buildings (non-residential) 0 0 0 0/0 0/0 0/0
# of Public Facilities 0 0 0 0/0 0/0 0/0
# of Persons benefitting 0 0 0 0/0 0/0 0/0


Activity Description:
HUD approved the release of funds for the Fisheries Assistance Program; outlined in Action Plan One, Amendment 17; on December 20, 2007, to improve and expand public infrastructure critical to the fisheries industry, including but not limited to docks, icehouses, boat launches, and other necessary infrastructure. It will also be available to aid fishermen directly through loans and grants that will be distributed through the Small Firm Loan and Grant Program.


Location Description:
Disaster affected parishes.


Activity Progress Narrative:
Action Plan Two (AP2), Amendment 2, which provides $20,000,000 to assist the recovery of the fisheries industry in Louisiana, was submitted to HUD on April 25. Amendment 2 includes $5,000,000 for direct aid to fishermen and $15,000,000 for improvement of fisheries infrastructure. In May, HUD submitted questions and requests for additional information, which the OCD-DRU has provided and continues to provide. On June 25, the LRA board passed a resolution reducing the amount of this program by $1,000,000 in order to provide additional funding to the Homeowners Assistance Program. On September 13, the full Legislature approved the original version of Action Plan Two (AP2), Amendment 2. AP2, Amendment 2 was republished for public comment in October and withdrawn completely by October 25, 2007. A Request for Proposals was released in October, with proposals due in December. Sixty-six proposals were received, and most of which met the minimum requirements. In February of 2008, all complete proposals were reviewed by an independent panel and projects were selected for funding. In March, selected projects were notified of conditional awards and eligibility review of each project began. As part of its contract with OCD, the state's consultant Hunt, Guillot & Associates (HGA), will work with those entities that have been awarded a Fisheries Infrastructure and Assistance grant. HGA is in the process of assigning grant managers for the 15 selected projects. As of June 30, 2008, the OCD-DRU Infrastructure staff is in the process of developing project applications.


Activity Location:
Address City State Zip
No Activity Locations Found


Other Funding Sources Budgeted - Detail
Match Sources Amount
No Other Match Funding Sources Found


Other Funding Sources Amount
No Other Funding Sources Found




Grantee Activity ID:
Flex Incent (HINC)

Activity Category:
Construction of new replacement housing

Activity Status:
Cancelled

Responsible Organization:
OCD in partnership with the Louisiana Housing Finance Authority
Projected Start Date:
09/15/2006

Projected End Date:
09/15/2010

National Objective:
Low/Mod


  This Report Period To Date
Total Projected Budget from All Sources N/A 0
Total CDBG Disaster Recovery Grant Funds Budgeted N/A 0
Program Funds Drawdown 0 0
Obligated CDBG DR Funds 0 0
Expended CDBG DR Funds 0 0
Match Contributed 0 0
Program Income Received 0 0


Performance Measures
 
This Report Period
Cumulative Actual Total / Expected
  Low Mod Total Low Mod Total
# of housing units 0 0 0 0/0 0/0 0/0
# of Households benefitting 0 0 0 0/0 0/0 0/0


Activity Description:
The Flexible Incentives for Mixed-Income Development has officially moved into the Piggyback Program and is covered under the mixed-income component of the Piggyback Program. The purpose of these programs to combine the resources of Gulf Opportunity Zone Tax Credits, CDBG Piggyback funding, available HOME funds, Section 8 project based housing vouchers, and leveraged private investments to generate between 18,000 and 33,000 of new or restored rental units. The program will support the development of mixed income communities and ensure the restoration of rental housing in the most heavily impacted parishes. Eligible Applicants: Developers applying for Low Income Housing Tax Credits Application Process: The primary method of award will be to sponsors who apply for and receive GO Zone credits under the 2007/2008 LIHTC allocation rounds administered by the Louisiana Housing Finance Agency. The CBDG funds will be allocated among three pools identified as Mixed-Income, Additional Affordability, and Permanent Supportive Housing developments. Funding will be available in the form of either an operating subsidy, a mixed-income subsidy, gap financing, or a combination thereof. The program will be available with the rollout of the 2007 LIHTC Qualified Allocation Plan on the schedule below. Status: A Program Description has been approved by OCD and LRA. The plan was presented to developers at a series of LHFA Developers Meetings in August and September of 2006. The application deadline for the 2007 Tax Credit Applications is October 20, 2006 with reservation of credits on December 13, 2006.


Location Description:
Disaster affected parishes


Activity Progress Narrative:
No Activity


Activity Location:
Address City State Zip
No Activity Locations Found


Other Funding Sources Budgeted - Detail
Match Sources Amount
No Other Match Funding Sources Found


Other Funding Sources Amount
No Other Funding Sources Found




Grantee Activity ID:
Homeless (HMLS)

Activity Category:
Rehabilitation/reconstruction of public facilities

Activity Status:
Under Way

Responsible Organization:
OCD and Department of Social Services
Projected Start Date:
05/30/2006

Projected End Date:
05/30/2010

National Objective:
Low/Mod


  This Report Period To Date
Total Projected Budget from All Sources N/A 25,900,000
Total CDBG Disaster Recovery Grant Funds Budgeted N/A 25,900,000
Program Funds Drawdown 208,699.92 386,512.71
Obligated CDBG DR Funds 0 25,900,000
Expended CDBG DR Funds 338,042.28 386,512.71
Match Contributed 0 0
Program Income Received 0 0


Performance Measures
 
This Report Period
Cumulative Actual Total / Expected
  Low Mod Total Low Mod Total
# of Persons benefitting 0 0 0 0/0 0/0 0/0


Activity Description:
In hurricane-impacted areas, many organizations serving the homeless lost facilities, housing capacity, shelter beds, and staff. Thirty-six shelters sustained considerable damage, and capacity to house up to 1,759 homeless individuals (i.e., 1,759 residential “beds” operated by “Continuum of Care” organizations serving the homeless) was lost. After the hurricane there were reports that an increased number of persons were living on the streets or in parks, cars, and abandoned or uninhabitable buildings in the impacted areas. Many of these persons were not homeless prior to the storms. The proposed $25.9 million will support the State’s goal to immediately restore and expand capacity in hurricane impacted areas and provide permanent supportive housing and assistance for persons and families who are homeless and persons at-risk of becoming homeless who are low wage workers, unemployed, victims of domestic violence, low-income seniors, and/or low-income persons with any type of substantial disability (including physical or sensory disability, cognitive disability, chronic health problems, mental illness, or addictive disorders). The proposal allows for funding to be prioritized as follows: The highest priority for the use of these funds will be to repair and restore shelter capacity, transitional housing and permanent supportive housing that existed prior to Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. The cost of restoring this capacity is estimated to be $3 to $5 million. Priority for these funds will be given to members of the Continuums of Care. Non-member organizations may apply for funding but should document pre-storm homeless efforts in the community and indicate a commitment to coordinating with the local Continuums of Care upon receipt of these funds. A second priority will be the acquisition and rehabilitation of new permanent supportive housing and services by non-profits in the hurricane-affected areas. This priority also includes the option of funding rental assistance (i.e., “bridge funding”) linked to permanent supportive housing. The prioritization of non-profits is based on the understanding that some non-profit groups working with homeless and at-risk populations will not have the capacity to apply for tax credits and supportive services funds through the “piggyback” program. This program plans to create 550 beds for the low income individuals needing temporary shelter, provide assistance to 2,400 low income households, and assist 2,400 homeless.


Location Description:
Disaster affected parishes.


Activity Progress Narrative:
The interagency agreement has been executed by OCD-DRU and Department of Social Services (DSS). The efforts to rehabilitate 18 homeless shelters that were selected through the Request for Proposal (RFP) process are ongoing. The cooperative endeavor agreements with the Continuums of Care for Orleans and St. Tammany Parishes have been approved by the state Office of Contract Review. Construction contracts are still in the bid process. All of the projects have cleared the environmental review process. A CDBG training for homeless shelter repair grant recipients was held at DSS on May 17, 2007, and on July 19, 2007 another workshop for local continuums of care was conducted for the Homeless Prevention and Rapid Re-housing program. The RFP for Homeless Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing was published on April 26, 2007 and awards were announced August 29, 2007. A total of $6.2 million was awarded to 8 Continuums of Care in Orleans, Jefferson, Plaquemine, East Baton Rouge, Lafayette, Bossier, St. Bernard, Rapides, St. Tammany and Calcasieu Parishes. All 8 of the cooperative endeavor agreements have been approved. To date, the agencies have assisted 789 households using homelessness prevention or rapid re-housing funds. A program description has been finalized for the Transitional Assistance Program (TAP) with Rapid Re-housing and DHH supportive services under one larger program design. The funding is $3,500,000 and is targeted to permanent supportive housing for qualified homeless individuals. Training sessions were held in December of 2007, to explain the program design to the participants. Additional trainings were held in January of 2008. TAP proposals are being submitted and reviewed. DSS is also designing its evaluation protocol for each program, the data collection requirements, HMIS data entry requirements and reporting requirements. DSS has agreed to allocate agency funds to be used in conjunction with CDBG funds to integrate fully the HMIS systems in the state that currently operate independently. A few clients were determined to be eligible for TAP. There are numerous clients very close to finalizing their eligibility paperwork and should be housed. Monitoring and technical assistance were conducted with the Capital Area Alliance for the Homeless and UNITY. The Performance Measures for this program and the outcomes for this quarter are: # beds created - 5 # homeless households receiving assistance - 540 of homeless households, # chronically homeless households - 181


Activity Location:
Address City State Zip
No Activity Locations Found


Other Funding Sources Budgeted - Detail
Match Sources Amount
No Other Match Funding Sources Found


Other Funding Sources Amount
No Other Funding Sources Found




Grantee Activity ID:
Land (HLAS)

Activity Category:
Disposition

Activity Status:
Under Way

Responsible Organization:
OCD and the Road Home Corporation
Projected Start Date:
03/01/2007

Projected End Date:
02/28/2010

National Objective:
Slums and Blight


  This Report Period To Date
Total Projected Budget from All Sources N/A 2,070,000
Total CDBG Disaster Recovery Grant Funds Budgeted N/A 2,070,000
Program Funds Drawdown 0 29,980.25
Obligated CDBG DR Funds 0 2,070,000
Expended CDBG DR Funds 0 29,980.25
Match Contributed 0 0
Program Income Received 0 0


Performance Measures
 
This Report Period
Cumulative Actual Total / Expected
  Low Mod Total Low Mod Total
# of Properties 0 0 0 0/0 0/0 0/0
# of Households benefitting 0 54 107 0/0 54/0 107/1,125
# of Persons benefitting 0 0 0 0/0 0/0 0/0
# of Permanent Jobs Created 0 0 0 0/0 0/0 0/0


Activity Description:
The Land Assembly component of the housing program will serve as an additional way to jump-start development in the communities that lost the most housing as a result of hurricanes Katrina and Rita. This will be done by providing seed money to acquire multiple properties in good locations for replacement housing and package them for sale or grant to maximize further affordable housing development for example, to developers using CDBG-supported LIHTC tax incentives to develop rental housing, to supportive housing developers, to self-help ownership housing developers, etc. This program component will operate only in those jurisdictions where: 1. These activities are requested or supported by local governments; and 2. Local governments have substantially engaged in the planning work required to target areas that are suitable for the development of replacement housing. A total of $2,070,000 of CDBG funds are budgeted for capital to purchase residential properties as well as operating costs. The capital used to purchase properties will be recycled through sales of properties to developers. As a related activity, properties assembled through buy-out programs, funded through the State's homeowner assistance program, might be offered at below-market costs to developers of affordable or special needs housing. One of the targets of these sales of State-purchased properties would be to encourage the development of mixed income developments that include renters with incomes below 40% of area median income. If such assembled properties were not purchased and developed by affordable developers in accordance with strict income requirements, they still might carry a requirement that a certain percentage of the units developed on CDBG assembled land would be affordable with less stringent income and pricing requirements, but still ensuring that mixed-income developments occur in redevelopment areas. However, the $2 million Land Assembly fund is fundamentally different from and should not be confused with the buyout provisions of the Homeowner Assistance Program. This budget line item is not intended for purchases of single-family homes. Instead, the intention is to contract out to one or more qualified organizations that can identify suitable sites for housing development in the most distressed parishes and obtain options on them. The State intends, through contractual arrangements, to fund a small team of property acquisition experts who will scout out, analyze and obtain options on suitable sites that are not currently on the open market. These could include surplus properties held by government agencies, nonprofits, churches and businesses. Some might be Brownfield sites that could be cleaned up quickly and at feasible costs. This Land Assembly operation would result in assignable options in the name of the State of Louisiana or some designated quasi-public entity. These options, in turn, would be offered to developers on an open, competitive basis.


Location Description:
Disaster affected parishes


Activity Progress Narrative:
This program is combined contractually with the Housing Development Loan Fund (HDEV) program. The performance measures for this program and the outcomes for this quarter are as follows: # loans closed - 1 # housing units - 460 total, 330 LMI # households benefiting - 460 total, 330 LMI See Activity Narrative for HDEV.


Activity Location:
Address City State Zip
No Activity Locations Found


Other Funding Sources Budgeted - Detail
Match Sources Amount
No Other Match Funding Sources Found


Other Funding Sources Amount
No Other Funding Sources Found




Grantee Activity ID:
Local Emer Infras (ILGE)

Activity Category:
Rehabilitation/reconstruction of public facilities

Activity Status:
Planned

Responsible Organization:
Local governments
Projected Start Date:
09/01/2006

Projected End Date:
09/01/2010

National Objective:
Low/Mod


  This Report Period To Date
Total Projected Budget from All Sources N/A 100,000,000
Total CDBG Disaster Recovery Grant Funds Budgeted N/A 100,000,000
Program Funds Drawdown 0 0
Obligated CDBG DR Funds 0 0
Expended CDBG DR Funds 0 0
Match Contributed 0 0
Program Income Received 0 0


Performance Measures
 
This Report Period
Cumulative Actual Total / Expected
  Low Mod Total Low Mod Total
# of Public Facilities 0 0 0 0/0 0/0 0/0
# of Non-business Organizations benefitting 0 0 0 0/0 0/0 0/0
# of Persons benefitting 0 0 0 0/0 0/0 0/0


Activity Description:
Of the $1,187,500,000 set aside for infrastructure activities, $95 million was initially set aside for the Local Government Emergency Infrastructure activity. Because of consultations with local governments and comments received from the local governments, the State allocated an additional $500 million to this activity. In addition to the match for eligible FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) funds. Also included in the expansion is ability to pay for repairs that are ineligible under the FEMA PA grant program, including but not limited to uninsured and underinsured damages, insurance deductables and improvements for code compliance, if they are determined to be critical to continued delivery and or protection of vital public services by state and local government entities in accordance with criteria established by the LRA. $200,000,000 of the $595,000,000 has been budgeted for primary and secondary education infrastructure and is being reported as a separate activity.


Location Description:
Disaster affected parishes.


Activity Progress Narrative:
Action Plan One (AP1), Amendment 10, which includes $100,000,000 for match of Category A&B FEMA Public Assistance (PA) grants, was submitted to HUD on March 23 and approved by HUD on July 13, 2007. The application forms for PA match and FEMA-ineligible repairs to schools, along with instructions for completing them, were posted on the OCD-DRU website in May, allowing local governments to begin applying for CDBG funds to cover the 10% non-federal match on FEMA PA grants. Each PA applicant in the state received an email informing him/her that the application was available. Training sessions/input meetings were held with several potential applicants. On May 25, the President and Congress provided 100% federal funding for FEMA PA projects, reducing the required budget of this program to about $100 million. An amendment to Action Plan One will be completed to reallocate the excess funds to other recovery priorities. On June 25, the LRA board passed a resolution reducing the amount of this program by $20,273,333 in order to provide additional funding to the Homeowners Assistance Program. HUD approved this amendment on November 9, 2007. In January of 2008, AP1, Amendment 19, and Action Plan Two, Amendment 6 were published for comment. The result of these two amendments will be to remove over $400,000,000 of funding from Local Government Infrastructure and Private Non-Profit Infrastructure Programs and reallocate it to the Long Term Community Recovery Program. The LRA Board approved these in February. In April, an application was submitted for NRCS match and additional draw requests were submitted for the Lower Cameron Hospital Service District. The Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) program to assist local governments with debris removal from drainage channels after the storms originally required a 25% non-Federal match which was later waived. St. Tammany Parish signed a contract with NRCS prior to the waiver and is obligated to pay their 25%. The Parish received some State money to pay part of the match and has applied to the OCD-DRU for the remainder, approx. $900,000.00. As of June 30, 2008, the OCD-DRU has paid out $774,167 to St. Tammany Parish. During the 2nd Quarter of 2008, AP1, Amendment 25 was written for the purpose of adding Provision of Public Services as an eligible activity for this program.


Activity Location:
Address City State Zip
No Activity Locations Found


Other Funding Sources Budgeted - Detail
Match Sources Amount
No Other Match Funding Sources Found


Other Funding Sources Amount
No Other Funding Sources Found




Grantee Activity ID:
Local Infra-LMI (ILOC)

Activity Category:
Rehabilitation/reconstruction of public facilities

Activity Status:
Under Way

Responsible Organization:
Local governments.
Projected Start Date:
05/09/2006

Projected End Date:
05/09/2010

National Objective:
Low/Mod


  This Report Period To Date
Total Projected Budget from All Sources N/A 1,324,726,667
Total CDBG Disaster Recovery Grant Funds Budgeted N/A 374,726,667
Program Funds Drawdown 774,167.32 1,580,362.01
Obligated CDBG DR Funds 0 4,000,000
Expended CDBG DR Funds 774,167.32 1,580,362.01
Match Contributed 0 0
Program Income Received 0 0


Performance Measures
 
This Report Period
Cumulative Actual Total / Expected
  Low Mod Total Low Mod Total
# of Public Facilities 0 0 1 0/0 0/0 1/10
# of Non-business Organizations benefitting 0 0 1 0/0 0/0 2/5
# of Persons benefitting 0 0 0 0/0 0/0 0/0


Activity Description:
Of the $1,187,500,000 set aside for infrastructure activities, $95 million was initially set aside for the Local Government Emergency Infrastructure activity. Because of consultations with local governments and comments received from the local governments, the State allocated an additional $500 million to this activity. In addition to the match for eligible FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) funds. Also included in the expansion is ability to pay for repairs that are ineligible under the FEMA PA grant program, including but not limited to uninsured and underinsured damages, insurance deductables and improvements for code compliance, if they are determined to be critical to continued delivery and or protection of vital public services by state and local government entities in accordance with criteria established by the LRA. $200,000,000 of the $595,000,000 has been budgeted for primary and secondary education infrastructure and is being reported as a separate activity.


Location Description:
Disaster affected parishes.


Activity Progress Narrative:
Action Plan One (AP1), Amendment 10, which includes $100,000,000 for match of Category A&B FEMA Public Assistance (PA) grants, was submitted to HUD on March 23 and approved by HUD on July 13, 2007. The application forms for PA match and FEMA-ineligible repairs to schools, along with instructions for completing them, were posted on the OCD-DRU website in May, allowing local governments to begin applying for CDBG funds to cover the 10% non-federal match on FEMA PA grants. Each PA applicant in the state received an email informing him/her that the application was available. Training sessions/input meetings were held with several potential applicants. On May 25, the President and Congress provided 100% federal funding for FEMA PA projects, reducing the required budget of this program to about $100 million. An amendment to Action Plan One will be completed to reallocate the excess funds to other recovery priorities. On June 25, the LRA board passed a resolution reducing the amount of this program by $20,273,333 in order to provide additional funding to the Homeowners Assistance Program. HUD approved this amendment on November 9, 2007. In January of 2008, AP1, Amendment 19, and Action Plan Two, Amendment 6 were published for comment. The result of these two amendments will be to remove over $400,000,000 of funding from Local Government Infrastructure and Private Non-Profit Infrastructure Programs and reallocate it to the Long Term Community Recovery Program. The LRA Board approved these in February. In April, an application was submitted for NRCS match and additional draw requests were submitted for the Lower Cameron Hospital Service District. The Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) program to assist local governments with debris removal from drainage channels after the storms originally required a 25% non-Federal match which was later waived. St. Tammany Parish signed a contract with NRCS prior to the waiver and is obligated to pay their 25%. The Parish received some State money to pay part of the match and has applied to the OCD-DRU for the remainder, approx. $900,000.00. As of June 30, 2008, the OCD-DRU has paid out $774,167 to St. Tammany Parish. During the 2nd Quarter of 2008, AP1, Amendment 25 was written for the purpose of adding Provision of Public Services as an eligible activity for this program.


Activity Location:
Address City State Zip
No Activity Locations Found


Other Funding Sources Budgeted - Detail
Match Sources Amount
No Other Match Funding Sources Found
 
Subtotal Match Sources 0


Other Funding Sources Amount
FEMA Public Assistance 950,000,000
 
Total Other Funding Sources 950,000,000




Grantee Activity ID:
Long Term Community Recovery - (ILTR)

Activity Category:
Rehabilitation/reconstruction of a public improvement

Activity Status:
Planned

Responsible Organization:
Office of Community Development (OCD), Disaster Recovery Unit (DRU)
Projected Start Date:
09/07/2007

Projected End Date:
09/07/2010

National Objective:
Low/Mod


  This Report Period To Date
Total Projected Budget from All Sources N/A 200,000,000
Total CDBG Disaster Recovery Grant Funds Budgeted N/A 200,000,000
Program Funds Drawdown 0 0
Obligated CDBG DR Funds 0 117,294,201
Expended CDBG DR Funds 0 0
Match Contributed 0 0
Program Income Received 0 0


Performance Measures
 
This Report Period
Cumulative Actual Total / Expected
  Low Mod Total Low Mod Total
# of Persons benefitting 0 0 0 0/0 0/560,000 0/1,400,000


Activity Description:
This program will provide funding for implementation of local long-term recovery plans in the most heavily affected areas of the state. The purpose is to alleviate the problems caused by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita that can only be addressed through long term planning and implementation of projects designed to solve those problems. Problems are inclusive, but not limited to damage to the economy, environment, housing stock, public safety, education, healthcare, and transportation.


Location Description:
Disaster affected parishes.


Activity Progress Narrative:
Action Plan One, Amendment 12 was approved by the full legislature on March 13 and submitted to HUD May 1. HUD submitted questions and requests for additional information, which OCD-DRU provided. HUD requested additional information, which was submitted and discussed on June 22. The revised Action Plan Amendment was published for public comment on July 17 and was resubmitted to HUD for approval on July 30. On August 17, HUD approved Action Plan One, Amendment 12, which approved the release of $200,000,000in funding. On September 11, six parishes submitted Recovery Plans to the LRA, bringing the total to eight. A package of materials as sent to the grantee parishes in October to allow them to begin preparing the documentation to start their projects. The OCD-DRU staff continues to work with sub-grantees to assist them in developing applications. The City of New Orleans formally approved their prioritized project list in November. In December, the LRA approved the publication of a proposed Action Plan Amendment to add $500,000,000 to this program. In January of 2008, AP1, Amendment 19, and Action Plan Two, Amendment 6 were published for comment. The result of these two amendments will be to remove over $400,000,000 of funding from Local Government Infrastructure and Private Non-Profit Infrastructure Programs and reallocate it to the Long Term Community Recovery Program. In February, AP1, Amendment 19, and Action Plan Two, Amendment 6 were approved by the LRA Board and OCD staff and consultants began meeting with City of N.O. personnel on a weekly basis to receive project proposals and trigger application preparation. In March, project application drafts were received from several parishes and the OCD-DRU staff are working with communities to finalize those applications. As part of its contract with the OCD-DRU, Hunt, Guillot and Associates (HGA) grant managers and the OCD-DRU Infrastructure staff, conducted workshops in Lake Charles and Baton Rouge on how program grantees are to access funds for approved projects. Throughout May and June, HGA grant managers have been working with grantees on gathering application requirements. The grant managers will also assist the grantees in completing applications for submittal to the OCD-DRU. To date, 38 project applications have been received from 5 parishes and are being developed in all parishes.


Activity Location:
Address City State Zip
No Activity Locations Found


Other Funding Sources Budgeted - Detail
Match Sources Amount
No Other Match Funding Sources Found


Other Funding Sources Amount
No Other Funding Sources Found




Grantee Activity ID:
LTLoan - LMI (ELTR)

Activity Category:
Econ. development or recovery activity that creates/retains jobs

Activity Status:
Cancelled

Responsible Organization:
OCD and Louisiana Economic Development Department
Projected Start Date:
09/15/2006

Projected End Date:
09/15/2009

National Objective:
Low/Mod


  This Report Period To Date
Total Projected Budget from All Sources N/A 0
Total CDBG Disaster Recovery Grant Funds Budgeted N/A 0
Program Funds Drawdown 0 0
Obligated CDBG DR Funds 0 0
Expended CDBG DR Funds 0 0
Match Contributed 0 0
Program Income Received 0 0


Performance Measures
 
This Report Period
Cumulative Actual Total / Expected
  Low Mod Total Low Mod Total
# of buildings (non-residential) 0 0 0 0/0 0/0 0/0
# of Businesses 0 0 0 0/0 0/0 0/0
# of Persons benefitting 0 0 0 0/0 0/0 0/0
# of Permanent Jobs Created 0 0 0 0/0 0/0 0/0


Activity Description:
The Long Term Recovery Loan Guarantee Program would be targeted to small firms that meet any of the following criteria: • Were rejected or deemed ineligible for SBA loans; • Did not apply for an SBA loan for good cause; or • Are in need of long-term loans for permanent repair or replacement of buildings, repair or purchase of replacement equipment and inventory. Louisiana will seek to use the infrastructure already in place through the Bridge Loan Program, a cooperative agreement with quasi-public organizations and local banks in the affected parishes to deliver the loans that will be guaranteed through this program. Under the Bridge Loan Program, there have been 22 participating banks throughout the affected parishes.


Location Description:
Disaster affected parishes.


Activity Progress Narrative:


Activity Location:
Address City State Zip
No Activity Locations Found


Other Funding Sources Budgeted - Detail
Match Sources Amount
No Other Match Funding Sources Found


Other Funding Sources Amount
No Other Funding Sources Found




Grantee Activity ID:
Piggyback (HTXC)

Activity Category:
Construction of new housing

Activity Status:
Under Way

Responsible Organization:
Local governments.
Projected Start Date:
05/30/2006

Projected End Date:
05/30/2045

National Objective:
Low/Mod


  This Report Period To Date
Total Projected Budget from All Sources N/A 0
Total CDBG Disaster Recovery Grant Funds Budgeted N/A 0
Program Funds Drawdown 0 0
Obligated CDBG DR Funds 0 0
Expended CDBG DR Funds 0 0
Match Contributed 0 0
Program Income Received 0 0


Performance Measures
 
This Report Period
Cumulative Actual Total / Expected
  Low Mod Total Low Mod Total
# of Public Facilities 0 0 0 0/0 0/0 0/185
# of Non-business Organizations benefitting 0 0 0 0/0 0/0 0/52
# of Persons benefitting 0 0 0 0/0 0/0 0/0


Activity Description:
Of the $1,187,500,000 set aside for infrastructure activities, $95 million was initially set aside for the Local Government Emergency Infrastructure activity. Because of consultations with local governments and comments received from the local governments, the State allocated an additional $500 million to this activity. In addition to the match for eligible FEMA Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) funds. Also included in the expansion is ability to pay for repairs that are ineligible under the FEMA PA grant program, including but not limited to uninsured and underinsured damages, insurance deductables and improvements for code compliance, if they are determined to be critical to continued delivery and or protection of vital public services by state and local government entities in accordance with criteria established by the LRA. $200,000,000 of the $595,000,000 has been budgeted for primary and secondary education infrastructure and is being reported as a separate activity.


Location Description:
Disaster affected parishes.


Activity Progress Narrative:


Activity Location:
Address City State Zip
No Activity Locations Found


Other Funding Sources Budgeted - Detail
Match Sources Amount
No Other Match Funding Sources Found


Other Funding Sources Amount
No Other Funding Sources Found




Grantee Activity ID:
Planning (PLAN)

Activity Category:
Planning

Activity Status:
Under Way

Responsible Organization:
OCD, Louisiana Recovery Authority (LRA)
Projected Start Date:
05/09/2006

Projected End Date:
06/30/2010

National Objective:
N/A


  This Report Period To Date
Total Projected Budget from All Sources N/A 17,875,341
Total CDBG Disaster Recovery Grant Funds Budgeted N/A 12,500,000
Program Funds Drawdown 500,498.21 7,387,015.25
Obligated CDBG DR Funds 0 7,136,517.04
Expended CDBG DR Funds 500,498.21 7,387,015.25
Match Contributed 0 0
Program Income Received 0 0


Performance Measures
 
This Report Period
Cumulative Actual Total / Expected
  Low Mod Total Low Mod Total
No Performance Measures Found


Activity Description:
In the wake of the devastation wrought by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, Governor Blanco established the Louisiana Recovery Authority (LRA) to plan the recovery and rebuilding of Louisiana. The LRA was established by Executive Order KBB 2005-63 on October 17, 2005. Due to the unprecedented scale of destruction to southern Louisiana, the Governor determined that a single state agency should coordinate the resources committed by various state, federal, and private entities toward disaster recovery. The LRA coordinates, leverages, and targets these newly committed resources with existing state and federal resources to improve their efficiency and effectiveness and to avoid duplication of efforts. In accord with the scale of the disaster, LRA’s planning responsibilities are broad in scope. The LRA is charged with securing funding and other resources for recovery efforts. The LRA has established priorities and continues to develop strategies for disaster recovery. The LRA leads long-term community and regional planning efforts and works to ensure transparency and accountability. It also assists coordination of resource allocations as it pertains to issues that may include, but are not limited to the following: 1) economic and workforce development; 2) environmental quality and review; 3) temporary and permanent housing; 4) healthcare; 5) infrastructure and transportation; 6) education; 7) fiscal stability; 8) family services; and 9) law and order.


Location Description:


Activity Progress Narrative:
In June of 2008, the Louisiana Legislature approved an administration bill to streamline state recovery processes. House Bill 622 by House Speaker Jim Tucker (R-Terrytown) shrinks the LRA’s Board of Directors and formally expands its responsibilities, including specifying that the LRA has oversight for the Road Home Program, FEMA’s Public Assistance program, the Hazard Mitigation Grant Program and the Alternative Housing Pilot Program. The bill also stipulates that the implementation shall be at the direction of the governor. The bill also reduces the membership of the LRA’s board from 33 to 17. Four Legislators will hold ex officio spots and Governor Jindal will appoint the remaining board members, many from the original LRA board. Other LRA accomplishments for the 2nd Quarter of 2008 include: • Identifying and prioritizing the state’s top infrastructure priorities: the Medical Center of New Orleans, Southern University –New Orleans and all higher education, first responders and marine debris. • Working with the city of New Orleans to speed approval of its first Long Term Community Recovery program projects. • The reactivation of the Rita Task Force. The Rita Task Force is to tackle economic and workforce development, fisheries, coastal restoration, housing, education and non-profit organizations in southwest LA. After hearing updates on housing, the state’s Hazard Mitigation Grant Program, natural resources and FEMA Public Assistance at the June meeting, the Task Force passed a resolution supporting the funding of an update to the Rita Report, a report first published in 2006 that summarizes the social and economic impact and recovery of southwest Louisiana. • The State moved quickly to return surplus FEMA supplies to Louisiana, after media reports revealed they never made it to hurricane victims. • In April, the LRA Board of Directors approved using $30 million in hazard mitigation funds to create a statewide program to purchase generators for first responder facilities statewide. All 64 parishes will receive $100,000, plus $5.10 per person, based on pre-Katrina census estimates to purchase generators and related equipment. FEMA, the Joint Legislative Committee on the Budget and the Legislature must now approve the plan. • At the urging of LRA staffers, Wal-Mart Regional committed to allow the state to bring flyers identifying possible marine debris sources and other informational documents to 60 of their stores throughout south Louisiana. As State staff briefs Wal-Mart employees on the marine debris issues facing Louisiana, they will be able to properly inform customers who buy their fishing license, fishing bait and other recreational boating items at Wal-Mart. The U.S. Coast Guard is mapping marine debris for removal from Louisiana’s waterways, but only debris reported by the state and its residents will be targeted.


Activity Location:
Address City State Zip
No Activity Locations Found


Other Funding Sources Budgeted - Detail
Match Sources Amount
No Other Match Funding Sources Found
 
Subtotal Match Sources 0


Other Funding Sources Amount
Private Funds 5,375,341
 
Total Other Funding Sources 5,375,341




Grantee Activity ID:
Private Non-Profit - (IPNP)

Activity Category:
Rehabilitation/reconstruction of other non-residential structures

Activity Status:
Under Way

Responsible Organization:
Office of Community Development (OCD), Disaster Recovery Unit (DRU)
Projected Start Date:
07/13/2007

Projected End Date:
07/13/2010

National Objective:
Urgent Need


  This Report Period To Date
Total Projected Budget from All Sources N/A 38,000,000
Total CDBG Disaster Recovery Grant Funds Budgeted N/A 38,000,000
Program Funds Drawdown 0 0
Obligated CDBG DR Funds 0 0
Expended CDBG DR Funds 0 0
Match Contributed 0 0
Program Income Received 0 0


Performance Measures
 
This Report Period
Cumulative Actual Total / Expected
  Low Mod Total Low Mod Total
# of buildings (non-residential) 0 0 0 0/0 0/0 0/0
# of Businesses 0 0 0 0/0 0/0 0/0
# of Non-business Organizations benefitting 0 0 0 0/0 0/0 0/0
# of Persons benefitting 0 0 0 0/0 0/0 0/0


Activity Description:
To provide the non-federal match for FEMA Public Assistance funds paid to eligible private non-profit K-12 schools and universities.


Location Description:
Disaster affected parishes.


Activity Progress Narrative:
Due to the passage of the match waiver legislation, this program is no longer necessary and an amendment to Action Plan One (AP1) will be submitted to reallocate those funds to other purposes. On June 25, the LRA board passed a resolution reducing the amount of this program by $2 million in order to provide additional funding to the Homeowners Assistance Program. In December, the LRA proposed transfer of funds from this program to the LTCR program, and HUD approved AP1, Amendment 15, which reallocated $2,000,000 to the Homeowners Assistance Program. In February of 2008, AP1, Amendment 19, and AP2, Amendment 6 were approved by the LRA Board, recommending removal of all funding from this program. The result of these two amendments will also be to remove over $400,000,000 of funding from Local Government Infrastructure and Private Non-Profit Infrastructure Programs and reallocate it to the Long Term Community Recovery Program.


Activity Location:
Address City State Zip
No Activity Locations Found


Other Funding Sources Budgeted - Detail
Match Sources Amount
No Other Match Funding Sources Found


Other Funding Sources Amount
No Other Funding Sources Found




Grantee Activity ID:
Ratepayer Mitigation - LMI (IRMP)

Activity Category:
Privately owned utilities

Activity Status:
Under Way

Responsible Organization:
Office of Community Development (OCD)
Projected Start Date:
02/09/2007

Projected End Date:
12/31/2008

National Objective:
Low/Mod


  This Report Period To Date
Total Projected Budget from All Sources N/A 108,000,000
Total CDBG Disaster Recovery Grant Funds Budgeted N/A 108,000,000
Program Funds Drawdown 0 97,638,800.22
Obligated CDBG DR Funds 0 108,000,000
Expended CDBG DR Funds 0 97,638,800.22
Match Contributed 0 0
Program Income Received 0 0


Performance Measures
 
This Report Period
Cumulative Actual Total / Expected
  Low Mod Total Low Mod Total
# of Households benefitting 0 0 0 0/0 0/61,398 0/113,700
# of Persons benefitting 0 0 0 0/175,621 118,800/79,523 118,800/467,013


Activity Description:
HUD approved the release of funds for the Ratepayer Mitigation Program; outlined in Action Plan One, Amendment 6; on February 9, 2007, to defray gas and electric utility system repair cost in an effort to mitigate rate increases that would otherwise be passed on to the New Orleans gas and electric utility ratepayers. The 118,800 people this program is designed to benefit is 54% of the total New Orleans population.


Location Description:
Disaster affected parishes


Activity Progress Narrative:
On February 9, 2007, HUD approved Action Plan One, Amendment 6 releasing funds for the implementation of this program. In March 2007, the contract was finalized between OCD-DRU and Entergy and $171,700,000 was transferred to Entergy New Orleans to mitigate rate increases in New Orleans. In May, Entergy submitted an additional request for payment for $5,092,614 for eligible activities performed during the month of March. In June, Entergy submitted an additional request for payment for $4,019,979 also for eligible activities performed during the month of March. Due to the OCD-DRU staffing changes, monitoring of this project by the infrastructure and financial teams has been postponed In February of 2008, the OCD-DRU financial and program personnel visited Entergy and established the contacts and information resources necessary to go forward with monitoring, which is now ongoing. Following March monitoring, Entergy decided to revise their draw requests to better fit program requests. By the end of April of 2008, Entergy had submitted revised payment requests, but payments are being held pending resolution of monitoring issues.


Activity Location:
Address City State Zip
No Activity Locations Found


Other Funding Sources Budgeted - Detail
Match Sources Amount
No Other Match Funding Sources Found


Other Funding Sources Amount
No Other Funding Sources Found




Grantee Activity ID:
Ratepayer Mitigation - UN (IRMP)

Activity Category:
Privately owned utilities

Activity Status:
Under Way

Responsible Organization:
Office of Community Development (OCD)
Projected Start Date:
02/09/2007

Projected End Date:
12/31/2008

National Objective:
Urgent Need


  This Report Period To Date
Total Projected Budget from All Sources N/A 92,000,000
Total CDBG Disaster Recovery Grant Funds Budgeted N/A 92,000,000
Program Funds Drawdown 0 83,173,792.78
Obligated CDBG DR Funds 0 92,000,000
Expended CDBG DR Funds 0 83,173,792.78
Match Contributed 0 0
Program Income Received 0 0


Performance Measures
 
This Report Period
Cumulative Actual Total / Expected
  Low Mod Total Low Mod Total
# of Businesses 0 0 0 0/0 0/0 6,072/6,072
# of Households benefitting 0 0 0 0/0 0/0 52,302/52,302
# of Persons benefitting 0 0 0 0/0 0/0 101,200/211,869


Activity Description:
HUD approved the release of funds for the Ratepayer Mitigation Program; outlined in OCD's Action Plan One, Amendment 6; on February 9, 2007, to defray gas and electric utility system repair cost in an effort to mitigate rate increases that would otherwise be passed on to the New Orleans gas and electric utility ratepayers.


Location Description:


Activity Progress Narrative:
See Ratepayer Mitigation - LMI (IRMP) for Activity Narrative.


Activity Location:
Address City State Zip
No Activity Locations Found


Other Funding Sources Budgeted - Detail
Match Sources Amount
No Other Match Funding Sources Found


Other Funding Sources Amount
No Other Funding Sources Found




Grantee Activity ID:
Road Home-LMI (HAOO)

Activity Category:
Payment for compensation and incentives (Louisiana only)

Activity Status:
Under Way

Responsible Organization:
OCD and ICF Emergency Management, LLC as the contract administrator.
Projected Start Date:
05/30/2006

Projected End Date:
05/30/2016

National Objective:
Low/Mod


  This Report Period To Date
Total Projected Budget from All Sources N/A 2,847,677,574.25
Total CDBG Disaster Recovery Grant Funds Budgeted N/A 2,217,245,126.25
Program Funds Drawdown 8,883,879.62 2,112,488,764.41
Obligated CDBG DR Funds 0 2,270,871,505.45
Expended CDBG DR Funds 8,820,075.03 2,257,741,895.8
Match Contributed 0 0
Program Income Received 0 0


Performance Measures
 
This Report Period
Cumulative Actual Total / Expected
  Low Mod Total Low Mod Total
# of housing units 0 0 335 0/0 0/0 33,987/67,500
# of Households benefitting 0 335 335 0/0 33,987/0 33,987/0


Activity Description:
The Road Home Homeowner Assistance program provides financial compensation and advisory services will be available for homeowners who wish to select from one of the three following options: 1. Repair/Rebuild – financial incentives to repair or reconstruct on the same site; 2. Sell and Relocate within the state – purchase of the home by the program in exchange for an agreement to resettle in Louisiana; or 3. Sell and Relocate out of the state – voluntary sale of the home with no expectation of resettlement in the state. The allocation for this program represents uses an estimated 55% benefit to low and moderate income citizens. This estimate is based on first and second quarter data which differs from the Road Home registry data. The registry data showed 76.2% of the 107,713 registrants earned at or below $50,000. Since the registry did not collect data on household size, it is impossible to estimate the number of low income households. This allocation amount and estimated performance will be continually modified as data on the actual applicants is collected. The amount allocated to LMI includes $8,229,915 of Road Home start up costs that funded program design, the Road Home Registry call center and other start up costs.


Location Description:
The program will serve homeowners in at least 17 permanent and mobile homeowner assistance centers in disaster affected parishes and other areas in and out of state where concentrations of displaced citizens are located.


Activity Progress Narrative:
On June 25, the Louisiana Recovery Authority (LRA) board passed a resolution increasing the amount of this program by moving $3,000,000 from the infrastructure programs. During the month of June, 1,909 appointments were held, representing approximately 1.0% of the total appointments held (222,584). No new applications were received and recorded during June; leaving the total number of applications received and recorded at 185,106. Funds were requested for 3,593 closings and 2nd disbursements, resulting in a net distribution of $133,033,619.05 after the returns were subtracted. This is 1.6% of the total closing held (114,442). The total amount disbursed by the Office of Community Development Disaster Recovery Unit (OCD-DRU) for closings occurring as of 6/30/2008 was over $6,667,291,385.56. -calculations done on data in the eGrants Reporting Database Quarterly numbers were produced on the homeowner closings from the eGrants Reporting Universe as seen below: 3rd Qtr '06 - LMI = 13, Total = 13 4th Qtr '06 - LMI = 24, Total = 166 1st Qtr '07 - LMI = 2,253, Total = 6,334 2nd Qtr '07 - LMI = 11,256, Total = 25,261 3rd Qtr '07 - LMI = 11,058, Total = 25,307 4th Qtr '07 - LMI = 12,871, Total = 32,236 1st Qtr '08 - LMI = 7,248, Total = 15,421 2nd Qtr '08 - LMI = 4,787, Total = 9,704


Activity Location:
Address City State Zip
No Activity Locations Found


Other Funding Sources Budgeted - Detail
Match Sources Amount
No Other Match Funding Sources Found
 
Subtotal Match Sources 0


Other Funding Sources Amount
HMGP 630,432,448
 
Total Other Funding Sources 630,432,448




Grantee Activity ID:
Road Home-UN (HAOO)

Activity Category:
Payment for compensation and incentives (Louisiana only)

Activity Status:
Under Way

Responsible Organization:
OCD and ICF Emergency Management, LLC as the contract administrator.
Projected Start Date:
05/30/2006

Projected End Date:
05/30/2016

National Objective:
Urgent Need


  This Report Period To Date
Total Projected Budget from All Sources N/A 2,329,918,015.75
Total CDBG Disaster Recovery Grant Funds Budgeted N/A 1,814,109,648.75
Program Funds Drawdown 9,125,201.3 1,907,044,015.27
Obligated CDBG DR Funds 0 1,748,661,274.23
Expended CDBG DR Funds 9,059,663.53 1,761,916,099.72
Match Contributed 0 0
Program Income Received 0 125,215.84


Performance Measures
 
This Report Period
Cumulative Actual Total / Expected
  Low Mod Total Low Mod Total
# of housing units 0 0 344 0/0 0/0 60,372/55,500


Activity Description:
See Road Home-LMI (HAOO) Activity Description.


Location Description:
See Road Home-LMI (HAOO) Location Description.


Activity Progress Narrative:
See Activity Narrative for Road Home-LMI (HAOO).


Activity Location:
Address City State Zip
No Activity Locations Found


Other Funding Sources Budgeted - Detail
Match Sources Amount
No Other Match Funding Sources Found
 
Subtotal Match Sources 0


Other Funding Sources Amount
HMGP 515,808,367
 
Total Other Funding Sources 515,808,367




Grantee Activity ID:
Small Loan (ESLG)

Activity Category:
Econ. development or recovery activity that creates/retains jobs

Activity Status:
Under Way

Responsible Organization:
OCD in partnership with local nonprofit community based lenders
Projected Start Date:
02/09/2007

Projected End Date:
02/15/2010

National Objective:
Low/Mod


  This Report Period To Date
Total Projected Budget from All Sources N/A 180,385,097
Total CDBG Disaster Recovery Grant Funds Budgeted N/A 180,385,097
Program Funds Drawdown 1,753,716.28 92,176,984.39
Obligated CDBG DR Funds 0 142,532,465
Expended CDBG DR Funds 1,953,707.28 92,176,984.39
Match Contributed 0 0
Program Income Received 0 0


Performance Measures
 
This Report Period
Cumulative Actual Total / Expected
  Low Mod Total Low Mod Total
# of buildings (non-residential) 0 0 0 0/0 0/0 0/0
# of Businesses 0 0 0 0/0 0/0 4,535/0
# of Persons benefitting 0 0 0 0/0 0/0 0/0
# of Permanent Jobs Created 0 0 0 0/0 0/0 0/0


Activity Description:
The Small Firm Recovery Loan and Grant Program is proposed as a program to target assistance to small firms that are deemed to have a chance to survive, contribute to the economy, and maintain and create jobs. Funds would support low-cost loans on flexible terms, small grants to reimburse for tangible losses, and technical assistance to support the firms receiving the financial support, some of which may not qualify for or have received bank and/or Small Business Administration (SBA) loans. Firms assisted would be those expected to survive and pay back the funds if given an opportunity for a loan. Firms will be asked to provide a plan showing how they would use the loans, grants, and technical assistance to survive and move ahead. Louisiana plans to implement a program that is similar to that developed and used in New York after the terrorist attacks on 9/11/2001. Through a Request for Proposals (RFP), Louisiana will seek proposals from nonprofits and community development financial institutions that would be used as intermediaries to provide working capital loans on flexible terms and small grants to reimburse for tangible losses to small firms, including nonprofits, and technical assistance services to companies receiving loans and grants. Results after 9/11 showed that technical assistance linked to the loans and grants was found to be important for the success of the small firms and subsequent repayment of the loans. Among other things, potential contractors seeking to offer assistance to small firms through this program will define in their RFP response information about the amount of funding to be dedicated to the loan category, grant category, or for technical assistance. Firms to be assisted would be those located in the parishes in southeast and southwest Louisiana most affected by hurricanes Katrina and Rita, including but not limited to those with substantial infrastructure damage. This program is planned to close 140 loans, award 2,400 grants, and create or retain 2,400 jobs.


Location Description:
Disaster affected parishes.


Activity Progress Narrative:
The Solicitation for Grant Application (SGA) process was initiated in October and closed December 1, 2006. Just prior to the SGA due date, the State decided to change the parameters of the program and augment it with additional funds beyond the $38,000,000 allocated in Amendment 2. Additional money was transferred to the program in Amendment 8, approved on February 9, 2007. Over 5,500 applications for this funding were later received in March, and 3,423 grants were awarded to small firms. The total amount of funding approved was $30,856,618 in amounts of up to $20,000. Collaboration between the OCD-DRU, Small Business Administration (SBA), and Louisiana Economic Development (LED) continued in May to ensure non-duplication of benefits to business grantees, and continues in weekly telephone conferences to ensure that financial responsibility and proper reimbursement processes are in place. Pre-monitoring reviews were conducted for all sub-recipients/lenders by the OCD-DRU staff. The reviews are to identify any problems with grantee files and to provide training on documenting low to moderate-income (LMI) beneficiaries. The appeals process for the first round of grants was set in place by LED and appeals are still being reviewed by LED’s appointed board. In August, LED and OCD-DRU staff closed reviews on 652 grant files, and in September, a plan was executed by the OCD-DRU to review approximately 2,000 additional files based on the lender’s error rate in files reviewed. Also in September, 2007, 35 grants were approved through the LED appeals process, and letters were sent out to recipients to notify them of the awards. The September training session focused on loan underwriting to ensure that minimum underwriting guidelines have been established and followed by LED and their sub-recipients in writing loan files. Previous deadlines for completing the submission of the second grant disbursements have been revised to allow for more time to complete the review process. The new projected deadline is May 31, 2008. Intermediary lenders sent out certified letters and made calls to those businesses who had not submitted requests. A Legislative Audit Advisory Council meeting was held on November 7, 2007 to review the first LLA report. All of the 3,509 first disbursement submitted grant requests were funded by the OCD-DRU. As of this month a net of 85% (2,972/3,509) of the grants have been paid. After subtracting the returns, the OCD-DRU is funding 317 loans. The second quarter of 2008 ended with the Phase I business site visits for grant recipients over 90% complete. File review was completed and findings are being compiled. Also this quarter, the application period for Phase II of the program ended leaving IM’s until August 1 to input all accepted applications into the Sage database. The exception request process was approved and implemented. IM Monitoring visits for intake centers and file eligibility review have been completed. Monitoring visits for underwriting review will begin in August. LED/LRA/OCD weekly meetings to discuss issues for resolution will continue. The joint TASF/BRGL meeting to promote synergistic relationships between IM’s from both programs is being planned for August.


Activity Location:
Address City State Zip
No Activity Locations Found


Other Funding Sources Budgeted - Detail
Match Sources Amount
No Other Match Funding Sources Found


Other Funding Sources Amount
No Other Funding Sources Found




Grantee Activity ID:
Small Rental (HSRP)

Activity Category:
Rehabilitation/reconstruction of residential structures

Activity Status:
Under Way

Responsible Organization:
OCD in conjunction with ICF International
Projected Start Date:
05/30/2006

Projected End Date:
05/30/2016

National Objective:
Low/Mod


  This Report Period To Date
Total Projected Budget from All Sources N/A 376,300,000
Total CDBG Disaster Recovery Grant Funds Budgeted N/A 376,300,000
Program Funds Drawdown 8,907,321.4 38,028,054.9
Obligated CDBG DR Funds 4,694,200.99 135,086,838.39
Expended CDBG DR Funds 7,155,486.79 36,276,220.29
Match Contributed 0 0
Program Income Received 0 0


Performance Measures
 
This Report Period
Cumulative Actual Total / Expected
  Low Mod Total Low Mod Total
# of Properties 0 0 0 0/0 0/0 0/0
# of housing units 0 0 134 0/0 0/0 134/0
# of Households benefitting 0 0 0 0/0 0/0 0/0


Activity Description:
Before the disaster, a large portion of very low income working families resided in single-family homes, “doubles” and small, multi-family buildings that were owned and operated by small-scale landlords. A sizeable number of these properties were underinsured or uninsured and no longer available for occupancy. The State proposes to provide up to $869,000,000 in financial assistance to small rental property owners so that they may effectively return an estimated 18,000 affordable and ready to be occupied units to the rental housing market. A portion of the funds ($40 million) is set aside as a pilot program to assist in the creation of homeownership opportunities for renters and will be administered by the Louisiana Housing Finance Agency. The primary purposes of this incentive program is to enable small-scale rental properties to return to the market while limiting the amount of debt (and therefore debt service) required for the properties, so that the owners will be able to charge affordable rents. The program will, on a competitive basis, offer incentives in the form of forgivable loans to qualified owners who agree to offer apartments at affordable rents to be occupied by lower income households. Subsidies will be provided on a sliding scale, with the minimum subsidy provided for units made available at affordable market rents to be occupied (rents affordable to household with incomes at or below 80% of median) and maximum amount of subsidy going to units affordable to families with incomes at or below 50% of AMI. In addition to funding incentives for providing affordable units in small rental properties, the program will, where practical, make funds available to improve building design and make properties less susceptible to damage from natural events. In general, higher per unit amounts will be available to property owners who agree to offer lower rents to reflect the lower amount of rental income these properties will receive. The assistance will be offered as deferred payment loans at zero percent interest, due only upon resale of the property or failure to comply with the agreed-upon restrictions on rents and household incomes. The program will, on a competitive basis, provide zero interest gap financing to restore units that are rented at affordable rates. Higher funding amounts up to $100,000 per unit are available to qualified landlords who agree to offer lower rents, with the maximum amount of subsidy going for larger rental units where rents are affordable for families with incomes at or below 50% area median income. This program is planned to create 18,000 units - 8,100 Low and 5,400 Mod income; 13,500 affordable units - 8,100 Low and 5,400 Mod income; 1,500 assisted units occupied by the low income elderly; 600 units subsidized with project based rental assistance; 4,500 lead safe units; and 1,500 units which meet Sec. 504 accessibility standards.


Location Description:
Disaster affected parishes.


Activity Progress Narrative:
The Small Rental Property Program design was approved by LRA and the OCD-DRU December 28, 2006; the final scoring design was approved January 5, 2007. The Small Rental application was approved by the LRA late January, 2007. ICF International, who is administering the program, began accepting applications for the first of multiple competitive rounds January 29, 2007, and continued receiving them through March 15, 2007, for the general pool, and March 22, 2007 for the non-profit pool. The end of July 2007 marked the deadline for applicants to return their conditional award packages for Round 1 and the application deadline for Round 2. There were 6,734 applications received during Round 1 with 5,338 meeting basic eligibility requirements for competition. Since the close of this round, $202,029,100 in federal funds were conditionally awarded to 2,702 applicants, with the average award of $75,020 for a project. Of the 2,702, there are 771 still moving forward to closing. There have been 280 appeals, and 230 have had issue determinations completed and resolved. At the close of Round 2 on July 31, 2007, 12,327 applications had been received. The State conditionally awarded nearly $375,000,000 in federal funds to 5,032 awardees in this round. The average award was approximately $75,000. As of the end of June, 2008, there are 3,775 active awards. There have been 396 appeals, and 308 have had issue determinations completed and resolved. For both Rounds, $1,100,000 have been awarded at 16 closings which resulted in 22 affordable units out of 25 total. The applicants receiving a conditional award letter for the waitlist round total 1,996, with 1,539 accepting their conditional award and returning their award letter. April 30th, 2008 marked the deadline to return conditional awards letters. There have been 526 appeals, and 476 completed and resolved determinations. Staff continues to process files for the Uniform Relocation Act assistance program for Rounds 1, 2 and 2.1. There are 304 Current/Active Owner Occupied awards with 99 closings held resulting in a total of $4,900,000 awarded for 99 units.


Activity Location:
Address City State Zip
No Activity Locations Found


Other Funding Sources Budgeted - Detail
Match Sources Amount
No Other Match Funding Sources Found


Other Funding Sources Amount
No Other Funding Sources Found




Grantee Activity ID:
Small TA (ETAS)

Activity Category:
Econ. development or recovery activity that creates/retains jobs

Activity Status:
Under Way

Responsible Organization:
OCD in partnership with small business development technical assistance providers.
Projected Start Date:
09/15/2006

Projected End Date:
04/15/2010

National Objective:
Low/Mod


  This Report Period To Date
Total Projected Budget from All Sources N/A 9,500,000
Total CDBG Disaster Recovery Grant Funds Budgeted N/A 9,500,000
Program Funds Drawdown 1,170,336.79 2,020,912.67
Obligated CDBG DR Funds 0 9,500,000
Expended CDBG DR Funds 1,184,597.41 2,020,912.67
Match Contributed 0 0
Program Income Received 0 0


Performance Measures
 
This Report Period
Cumulative Actual Total / Expected
  Low Mod Total Low Mod Total
# of buildings (non-residential) 0 0 0 0/0 0/0 0/0
# of Businesses 0 0 898 0/0 0/0 898/500
# of Persons benefitting 0 610 1,388 109/0 681/160 1,649/300
# of Permanent Jobs Created 0 0 0 0/0 0/0 0/0


Activity Description:
Firms to be assisted would be those located in the parishes in southeast and southwest Louisiana most affected by Katrina and Rita, including but not limited to those with substantial infrastructure damage. Because of the impacts of the storms, many firms need assistance in dealing with changed circumstances. Small firms in niche sectors such as fisheries, tourism, or the cultural economy may require unique assistance that can be provided by nonprofits with a proven track record within that sector. Through this program, technical assistance will be provided in areas such as business management, strategic planning, accounting, insurance, marketing, and legal. Similar to a technical assistance program created in New York after 9/11/2001, Louisiana will seek proposals from intermediaries, which would provide some form of technical assistance. The technical assistance may be provided to existing small firms, to entrepreneurs/persons seeking to start a new business to locate within and take advantage of opportunities in the most affected parishes, and/or provided in other ways that help address the unique needs for local/regional business recovery. The contracting agency will retain the right to select all or some of the applicants, reject any or all proposals, select all or fewer than all responding to the RFP as part of a consortia or partnership, allocate funds in any amount depending on the number and quality of the proposals, and negotiate any part(s) of any proposal. Respondent organizations will be encouraged to develop partnerships with other groups to provide a team that might serve a specific geographic area or specific type of company or industry.


Location Description:
Disaster affected parishes.


Activity Progress Narrative:
The Solicitation for Grant Application (SGA) process commenced in October, 2006. In January, 2007, a review board was initiated. In February, 19 sub-recipients were selected with whom LED met in March to go over program content and process. In April, LED established a contract template through collaboration with the OCD-DRU. In May, a kick-off meeting was held for the program sub-recipients during which they were trained on LED’s SBITS (Small Business Intermediary Tracking Systems) software and program training by the OCD-DRU staff. Contracts between LED and the sub-recipients have been finalized. Training on CDBG regulations and HUD requirements was provided to LED and their sub-recipients by OCD-DRU, during August. The OCD-DRU continues to provide technical assistance and oversight to the LED regarding reporting, regulations, performance measures, and other issues. In September, LED and SSA started the individual intermediary interview and needs assessment meetings. The purpose was to meet with all 19 intermediaries individually, in-person and spotlight their target market, demographic groups, industry, geography, and culture/language; and to provide technical assistance on CDBG requirements. These meetings continued into October, also when the first program invoices were submitted via SBITS and forwarded to the OCD-DRU. Sage CRM, for tracking intermediary program information, was brought online and data uploaded. LED uses the database to interact with SBITS to track program information. In November, the first invoice was paid to the intermediary. LED internet technicians launched Phase 1 of their website – making program descriptions and a contact list internet accessible. LED assembled all Business Recovery Grant & Loan Program applicant information out of Sage for the purpose of getting them involved in the TA program. LED is discussing options to best approach applicants to connect both programs. LED continues to provide technical assistance and oversight to the intermediaries regarding reporting, regulations, performance measures, and held a meeting in New Orleans, on January 16, 2008 to review program files, record keeping, and what is expected during LED monitoring visits. LED started pre-monitoring site visits on March 26 and completed 13 by the end of April, 2008. Since this program opened on May 1, 2007, a total of 2,632 clients have been assisted in the following areas: accounting, Quick Books, financial analysis, business plan development, marketing, web technology, starting a business, general and special business counseling. Over 50% of the total assisted, 1,388, were assisted in the second quarter of 2008. Over 50% of those assisted during the second quarter were minorities with 433 of the quarter total being female head of household. In June of 2008, 227 (total to date – 1,054) LMI individuals and 249 (total to date – 1,578) non-LMI were served.


Activity Location:
Address City State Zip
No Activity Locations Found


Other Funding Sources Budgeted - Detail
Match Sources Amount
No Other Match Funding Sources Found


Other Funding Sources Amount
No Other Funding Sources Found




Grantee Activity ID:
Support HSG (HSHO)

Activity Category:
Public services

Activity Status:
Under Way

Responsible Organization:
OCD and Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals and Louisiana Department of Social Services.
Projected Start Date:
05/30/2006

Projected End Date:
05/30/2016

National Objective:
Low/Mod


  This Report Period To Date
Total Projected Budget from All Sources N/A 46,750,000
Total CDBG Disaster Recovery Grant Funds Budgeted N/A 46,750,000
Program Funds Drawdown 47,959.23 47,959.23
Obligated CDBG DR Funds 0 46,750,000
Expended CDBG DR Funds 47,959.23 47,959.23
Match Contributed 0 0
Program Income Received 0 0


Performance Measures
 
This Report Period
Cumulative Actual Total / Expected
  Low Mod Total Low Mod Total
# of Public Facilities 0 0 0 0/0 0/0 0/0
# of Persons benefitting 0 0 0 0/0 0/0 0/0


Activity Description:
HUD approved the release of funds for the Supportive Housing Services program; outlined in Action Plan One, Amendment 1; on May 30, 2006, to offer grants for Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) which are designed to provide flexible, community-based supportive services for special needs households linked to affordable rental housing units in community-integrated, non-institutional settings. The Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals (DHH) will serve as the lead agency for funding, administration, and monitoring of CDBG funds for the Grants. Grants will also be made to sub-recipient Local Lead Agencies designated by DHH and by the Louisiana Department of Social Services (DSS). The Local Lead Agencies will conduct outreach to identify individuals eligible for PSH, develop and maintain waiting lists, enter into agreements with providers of PSH units, pre-screen, prioritize and refer eligible individuals for PSH, and provide the necessary services. This program is planned to assist 3,000 low income people by providing them with new access to a service.


Location Description:
Disaster Affected Parishes.


Activity Progress Narrative:
An interagency agreement with the Department of Health and Hospitals (DHH) was executed in July. DHH will enter into sub-recipient agreements with the designated local lead agencies thereafter. Contracts between the providers of Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) units and the local lead agencies will be entered into as the units are placed in service and have a PSH qualified tenant. CDBG training was conducted by ICF International for local lead agencies and DHH on July 13, 2007. DHH continues to meet with the local lead agencies (LLA) on program compliance issues and negotiation of the cooperative endeavor agreements. The PSH set-aside agreement was finalized for use when PSH units come online. Eligible clients are currently being identified. Service delivery will begin at the start of the 3rd quarter of 2008. DHH continues to meet with the LLA’s to work out programmatic issues.


Activity Location:
Address City State Zip
No Activity Locations Found


Other Funding Sources Budgeted - Detail
Match Sources Amount
No Other Match Funding Sources Found


Other Funding Sources Amount
No Other Funding Sources Found




Grantee Activity ID:
Tourism (ECRT)

Activity Category:
Tourism (Louisiana and Mississippi only)

Activity Status:
Under Way

Responsible Organization:
OCD and Louisiana Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism
Projected Start Date:
09/15/2006

Projected End Date:
06/15/2008

National Objective:
Urgent Need


  This Report Period To Date
Total Projected Budget from All Sources N/A 28,500,000
Total CDBG Disaster Recovery Grant Funds Budgeted N/A 28,500,000
Program Funds Drawdown 3,968,900.83 22,531,597.55
Obligated CDBG DR Funds 0 28,500,000
Expended CDBG DR Funds 5,425,424.91 22,531,597.55
Match Contributed 0 0
Program Income Received 0 0


Performance Measures
 
This Report Period
Cumulative Actual Total / Expected
  Low Mod Total Low Mod Total
# of Permanent Jobs Created 0 0 0 0/0 0/0 0/6,000


Activity Description:
In 2004, the State of Louisiana hosted 24.6 million visitors, of which 76 percent were from outside of the State. Those 24.6 million visitors spent $9.9 billion in the State and contributed $600 million in state and local tax revenues (Source: Travel Industry Association of America). Out-of-state tourists come to Louisiana as a result of marketing and promotion of Louisiana’s many cultural and natural assets, family recreation destinations, and various special events Louisiana hosts each year. South Louisiana is the largest draw for the State’s tourism and convention business. Prior to the storms, tourism was the second largest industry in the State in terms of employment (Louisiana Office of Tourism), and the cultural economy was the fastest growing industry in the State (Source: Louisiana: Where Culture Means Business, Mt. Auburn Associates, July 31, 2005). The tourism and cultural industries combined sustained 260,000 jobs for Louisiana residents. This funding will be allocated to local tourism agencies and bureaus to promote recovery tourism in their areas. Activities to be funded include advertising and event promotions.


Location Description:
Disaster affected parishes.


Activity Progress Narrative:
The program has awarded $28,000,000 to 17 tourism agencies throughout the disaster-affected parishes. The OCD-DRU entered an interagency agreement with the Department of Culture, Recreation, & Tourism (DCR&T) and established a funds distribution process. This program will reach travelers and businesses through television and print advertising, direct sales, special promotions, communications, and media. While each sub-recipient provides its own list of goals and performance measures, the overall grant goals, performance measures, and latest report from DCR&T are: 1. Increase total direct visitor spending in Louisiana by 10% from 2006 – 2008. The New Orleans Convention and Visitor Bureau Quarterly Report reports that the 2008 convention/corporate meeting bookings total 332,568. The average monthly hotel occupancy in New Orleans for the first quarter of 2008 was 69%. 2. Increase leisure and hospitality industry jobs in the 13 most impacted parishes by 10% from 2006 to 2008. As of March 2008, hospitality industry jobs have increased to 68,400. 3. Increase visitor intent to visit Louisiana to pre-Katrina levels by June of 2008. Data provided through surveys of travel intent are not available for the first quarter of 2008. The New Orleans Tourism Marketing Corporation’s Quarterly Report for 3/31/2008 reveals their goal is to increase the likelihood to visit from 16% to 30% by June of 2008. 4. Increase advertising inquires by 10% over 2006 (which totaled 1,444,955) by 2008. There is no data for 2008. 5. Increase the number of visitors to Louisiana by 10% over 2005 (which totaled 18.7 million) by 2008. During the first quarter of 2008, New Orleans hosted the NBA All-Star Events resulting in 60,000 visitors with an estimated economic impact of $90 million. This event was a direct result of the use of CDBG Tourism Recovery funds as were the Allstate BCS National Championship and the Allstate Sugar Bowl. Both were also hosted by New Orleans and provided an economic impact of $400 million to the city. The OCD-DRU has applied to HUD for an extension on the waiver for this program as the first waiver has expired.


Activity Location:
Address City State Zip
No Activity Locations Found


Other Funding Sources Budgeted - Detail
Match Sources Amount
No Other Match Funding Sources Found


Other Funding Sources Amount
No Other Funding Sources Found




Grantee Activity ID:
Workforce (ERWT)

Activity Category:
Public services

Activity Status:
Under Way

Responsible Organization:
OCD and the Workforce Commission
Projected Start Date:
09/15/2006

Projected End Date:
12/31/2009

National Objective:
Low/Mod


  This Report Period To Date
Total Projected Budget from All Sources N/A 38,000,000
Total CDBG Disaster Recovery Grant Funds Budgeted N/A 38,000,000
Program Funds Drawdown 1,017,404.3 5,664,256.15
Obligated CDBG DR Funds 0 38,000,000
Expended CDBG DR Funds 1,017,404.3 5,664,256.15
Match Contributed 0 0
Program Income Received 0 0


Performance Measures
 
This Report Period
Cumulative Actual Total / Expected
  Low Mod Total Low Mod Total
# of Public Facilities 0 0 0 0/0 0/0 0/0
# of Businesses 0 0 0 0/0 0/0 0/0
# of Non-business Organizations benefitting 0 0 0 0/0 0/0 0/0
# of Persons benefitting 0 0 0 0/0 0/0 0/0


Activity Description:
Hurricanes Katrina and Rita dealt a devastating blow to the economic engine in South Louisiana. Approximately 360,000 Louisiana citizens are estimated to have been displaced outside of the State (LRA analysis of population estimates). Some 1.3 Million FEMA applicants were scattered across 50 states by Hurricane Katrina alone (FEMA). It is reported that approximately 18,000 businesses were severely damaged or destroyed, and 220,000 jobs are estimated to have been lost due to the hurricanes (BLS). The loss of jobs from the hurricanes impacted every sector from healthcare and construction to retail and tourism. The Recovery Workforce Training Program (RWTP) will address the loss of jobs and the re-employment of our workforce as a top priority in the recovery of the impacted areas and the long-term recovery of the State’s overall economy. The program is centered on three inter-related factors critical to the recovery of Louisiana’s economy: the return of the displaced workforce; the retention of the existing workforce; and a concerted effort to increase skills development for new jobs in sectors related to the immediate and long-term recovery and rebuilding efforts and the future of our economy. This program is planned to train 9,526 people total to be productive members of the workforce. 4,858 will be in the moderate income range.


Location Description:


Activity Progress Narrative:
The RFP issued on October 4, 2006 required proposals to be submitted to the Workforce Commission (WC) on or before November 28, 2006. The WC created an evaluation team to review the submitted 48 proposals amounting to $165,000,000. The final evaluation of the proposals was due to the WC by December 7 for final approval by December 14, 2006. Of the 48 proposals submitted, 19 were funded. In March of 2007, an agreement between WC and OCD-DRU was signed and submitted to the Office of Contractual Review (OCR). The meeting between WC Acting Director and OCD-DRU staff resulted in the completion of a template for sub-recipient agreements. As of June, 2007, all completed agreements submitted by the WC in the previous month passed contractual review, and all agreements are now with the OCD-DRU whose staff is in the process of creating a system of tracking and utilizing the information contained in the agreements to help with future monitoring efforts. One of the sub-recipients named Pelican Chapter Associated Builder & Contractors completed a construction industry training program in August, 2007. It placed 75% of the trainees participating in their program for the first round. They are actively pursuing placement of the remainder of trainees, and they are preparing to establish their next round of training to ensure accomplishment of their projected goals. As of the end of the first quarter of 2008, this program had trained 1,464 of its 5,955(4,484 LMI) participants and placed 761 of those trained in the following job sectors: Advanced Manufacturing, Construction, Oil & Gas, Cultural Economy, Health Care, and Transportation. About half of the programs continued training, most of these are long term programs like in healthcare, while the other half ramped up their efforts for new training programs for the summer, especially the construction programs. Most of these reached out to new graduates or those about to graduate from either high school or college. Recruitment was the main focus for May. One program met with a large industry that was laying off employees in the New Orleans area. They wanted to make them aware of the needs they have across the region. The Dept. of Corrections received their customized mobile educational units. So, now they can begin moving the classes around to different facilities training across the state.


Activity Location:
Address City State Zip
No Activity Locations Found


Other Funding Sources Budgeted - Detail
Match Sources Amount
No Other Match Funding Sources Found


Other Funding Sources Amount
No Other Funding Sources Found