The state of Louisiana has published a proposed 189-page action plan for spending just over $600 million in federal disaster recovery funding for Hurricanes Laura and Delta, Gov. John Bel Edwards announced Monday.
The governor’s office said the state is seeking public input on the plan, which is available online at doa.la.gov/doa/ocd/policy-and-reports/apa/. A public hearing is scheduled for 6 p.m. March 9 at the Seed Center, 4310 Ryan St.
Edwards was scheduled to visit Lake Charles Monday, but canceled because of weather issues. He said in a statement that the plan is the first step in securing “long-awaited federal assistance on the ground” for the Southwest Louisiana region, which remains mired in recovery ever since Hurricanes Laura and Delta made landfall in August and October 2020. He said Louisiana is the first to publish a draft action plan out of 10 states that are receiving disaster supplemental funding.
“With the allocated funding, we will be able to address housing, economic revitalization, infrastructure and planning programs, which is why we need the public to participate in these hearings and provide input on the state’s plan to ensure program priorities are aligned with community needs,” he said.
Edwards mentioned the need to fight for additional federal money to help Southwest Louisiana in its long-term recovery from Hurricanes Laura and Delta. The plan mentions $1.8 billion in unmet housing needs in Louisiana because of Laura and Delta.
The Louisiana Office of Community Development will host additional public hearings. Other stops include 10 a.m. March 9 at Alexandria Convention Hall,  915 Third St., Alexandria. Two meetings are scheduled for March 16: 10 a.m. at the Ouachita Parish Fire Department Training Center and Public Safety Building, 1080 Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Monroe; and 6 p.m. at the Shreveport Government Plaza, 505 Travis St.
To register for the March 14 virtual meeting, visit restore.la.gov/action-plan.
The public comment period will be open for at least 30 days. Once comments are received, the state will submit the action plan to the Department of Housing and Urban Development and can begin accessing federal dollars upon the department’s approval.
The governor’s office stated it can launch the Restore Louisiana program upon receiving federal disaster supplemental funding. It mentioned $189 million for homeowner assistance, $196 million for infrastructure, $107.6 million to provide more rental housing and affordable rental properties, $78 million for mitigation and $5.1 million for providing small businesses with loans and grants.
Residents who suffered damage by the hurricanes that FEMA deemed as major or severe are encouraged to take part in a survey online at restore.la.gov or by calling 866-735-2001.
To obtain a copy of the draft action plan, call 225-219-9600.