The deadline to complete the Restore Louisiana Homeowner Assistance Program survey is this Friday, Oct. 19, 2018. This is the last opportunity for homeowners impacted by the March and/or August 2016 floods to request assistance from the program, as the program will be unable to consider anyone who has not submitted a survey by the deadline.
The program survey was reopened by Gov. Edwards on Sept. 24 in response to pending legislation that addresses the policy that currently considers Small Business Administration (SBA) loans to be a Duplication of Benefits (DOB) for federal grant funds, preventing many flood survivors who were approved for Small Business Administration (SBA) loans from receiving the assistance needed to rebuild. Since Sept. 24, over 1,450 new surveys have been submitted.
"Any homeowner who was impacted by the March or August 2016 flood who has not yet completed a Restore Louisiana survey is strongly encouraged to do so before the deadline," said Pat Forbes, Executive Director of the Office of Community Development. "We continue to see progress toward no longer considering SBA loans a duplication of benefits for grant funds, and once the President has approved the waiver request and final guidance is received from HUD, we will immediately begin updating grant awards for affected applicants and hope to provide assistance to as many families as possible who have already completed a program survey and application."
Completing the survey takes less than 15 minutes and is the first step in requesting assistance from the program. Those who meet the program's eligibility requirements will be invited to submit a formal program application. The application deadline is Friday, Nov. 16, 2018.
Homeowners may complete the survey online at restore.la.gov or by calling 1-866-735-2001 to speak to a program representative 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. Additionally, program representatives are available at one of the program’s Housing Assistance Centers in Baton Rouge, Lafayette, Hammond or Monroe, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., to assist homeowners in completing their survey and/or application and provide information on options for repairs, reconstruction or reimbursement through the program.
To date, 55,185 homeowners have completed the program survey and over 44,840 homeowners have been invited to complete the formal application. Nearly 33,900 applications have been processed and determinations made, and more than 14,600 eligible homeowners have been offered grant awards totaling $500.6 million.