Public housing to receive millions in grants

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Public housing to receive millions in grants

By Naomi King

Staff Writer

Houma Courier - Houma,Louisiana,USA

http://www.houmatoday.com/article/20081208/ARTICLES/812089934?

Title=Public_housing_to_receive_millions_in_grants

Published: Monday, December 8, 2008 at 11:26 a.m.

Last Modified: Monday, December 8, 2008 at 11:44 a.m.

HOUMA — More than $3 million in federal grant money is available to

repair two storm-damaged public-housing sites in Houma.

Federal and local housing officials say the $3.6 million earmarked

for Bayou Towers and Senator Circle will be adjusted once the local

public-housing agency submits details about insurance payments and

other recovery assistance. It's not yet clear when that will happen.

Wayne Thibodeaux, Houma-Terrebonne Housing Authority executive

director, said he's cautiously optimistic that the money will meet

the Housing Authority's needs, which have grown since initial

estimates.

" Obviously I'm pleased, " he said. " I don't think it's going to take

care of all our problems. "

Hurricane Gustav tore off the north end of Bayou Tower's roof,

exposing the 300 units to water that later formed mold. Thibodeaux

said mold was initially found from floors eight through 11.

Recently, however, crews found mold as far down as the fifth floor.

Repairs to Bayou Towers were initially thought to encompass 30

apartments in the 11-story building that houses elderly and disabled

residents. The actual number of damaged and mold-infested apartments

is double that, Thibodeaux said, adding that conservative estimates

put damages at about $2.5 million for Bayou Towers.

The building has been closed since the storms. Estimates are that

the work will be complete early next year. There's no word yet on

when the building will re-open.

Roughly two weeks after Gustav, Hurricane Ike's surge pushed water

as far north as east Houma, flooding 217-units at Senator Circle.

Repairs will cost an estimated $800,000 and are scheduled to last

for more than 40 days.

Officials say permanent repairs haven't started yet, but molded

doors have been removed from some units.

The federal housing department will dole out $18.5 million

nationwide for emergency and disaster-related grants this year, said

Donna White, department spokeswoman.

White said she didn't have information immediately available on how

Houma's public-housing grant compared to those in other storm-

damaged communities.

These grants are awarded to needy housing agencies on a first-come,

first-served basis and applications must be submitted in the year

the disaster occurred, White said. The grant amount will be final

once the local housing authority provides all requested paperwork, a

date neither White nor Thibodeaux could pinpoint.

Houma Housing Authority Board Chairman Allan Luke said he's glad the

agency is getting recovery aid. Like Thibodeaux, Luke said the

federal government's disaster grant may not cover the repair bill

because damage estimates are not final.

Money earmarked for bolstered security at both sites is being used

to pay for repairs, and it will be replaced when the federal grant

money arrives.

Staff Writer Naomi King can be reached at 857-2209 or

naomi.king@....