• Acadiana C.A.R.E.S. Inc/Permanent Supportive Housing for Disabled Homeless Persons
• Easter Seals Louisiana/Integrated Community Engagement
• Rays of Sunshine/Sonshine Yellow House Project
• UNITY of Greater New Orleans/Home At Last

For the full article, click here.

This investment reflects HUD's strong belief that housing is best developed "in context" of communities and regions, as proximity to transit, jobs, and retail amenities influence the long term success of both the housing and its occupants. Walkable, transit-oriented, mixed income communities substantially reduce transportation costs, create energy savings, and enhance access to employment and educational opportunities.

The initiative would be based around three central efforts.

First, the Initiative would dedicate $100 million for a regional planning effort to be jointly administered by HUD and DOT. Second, it would include $40 million in community challenge grants to entice metropolitan and local leaders to make market-shifting changes in local zoning and land-use rules and building codes. Finally, it would dedicate $10 million for a major research and evaluation effort that is jointly administered by DOT and HUD.

For more information, please visit p4sc.org/Excerpts_from_HUD_Budget.html

HUD is developing a Notice of Funding Availability document after seeking comments on an advance notice for the Sustainable Communities Planning Grant Program. The newly established Office of Sustainable Housing and Communities at HUD will oversee the program in partnership with the Department of Transportation and Environmental Protection Agency.

For more information, please visit p4sc.org/News__HUD_s_New_Dir_1.html

The program will make available $100,000,000 to support the integration of housing, transportation and land use planning. There are three funding categories being considered…

• Funding to support the preparation of regional plans for sustainable development that address housing, economic development, transportation, and environmental quality in an integrated fashion where such plans do not currently exist
• Funding to support the preparation of more detailed execution plans and programs to implement existing regional sustainable development plans that address housing, economic development, transportation, and environmental quality in an integrated fashion
• Implementation funding to support regions that have regional sustainable development plans and implementation strategies in place and need support for a catalytic project or program that demonstrates commitment to and implementation of the broader plan

For more information, please visit p4sc.org/News__HUD_s_SCP_Grants.html

"Shelley will help lead HUD's effort to change the way we think about our communities," said HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan, "Her wealth of experience will help us move forward in creating sustainable, greener and smarter communities."

Poticha currently serves as the President and CEO of Reconnecting America. Her efforts with this organization have stimulated a national conversation about the role of transit in shaping communities and building diverse and inclusive neighborhoods.

For more information, please visit HUD's website.

BATON ROUGE, La. - State officials are hosting outreach fairs in New Orleans, Baton Rouge and Lake Charles this weekend in an effort to reach families who will transition off of the Disaster Housing Assistance Program on August 31, as well as those who are exiting the Federal Emergency Management Agency's trailer housing.

While outreach efforts have been ongoing since the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development agreed to extend the program in February, some DHAP residents could not be contacted or have not reached out for further assistance.

"It is critical that everyone in DHAP and those who are leaving FEMA trailers learn about these programs that can assist their transition to permanent housing," said Paul Rainwater, executive director of the Louisiana Recovery Authority. "With the last DHAP payments being made in August, and the FEMA trailer program having ended in May, we encourage anyone who does not have permanent housing in place to attend."

The fairs will be held at the following times and locations:
• New Orleans
Saturday, July 11, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Lindy C. Boggs International Conference Center at UNO
2045 Lakeshore Dr.

• Baton Rouge
Saturday, July 11, 9 a.m. - 12 p.m.
Independence Park, Room 137
7500 Independence Blvd.

• Lake Charles
Sunday, July 12, 1-5 p.m.
Lake Charles Civic Center
Jean Lafitte Room, 3rd Floor
900 Lake Shore Dr.

Participating state agencies include the Louisiana Recovery Authority, the Office of Community Development, Department of Social Services, Department of Health and Hospitals, Louisiana Workforce Commission and the Louisiana Housing Finance Agency. Representatives from HUD and FEMA will also be present.

Families who cannot attend a resource fair can call 1-866-808-3487 between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday to have their questions answered.

There are currently 12,085 DHAP families in the state, with the majority - 6,526 households - in Orleans Parish and the surrounding areas. Jefferson parish has 2,295 families; St. Bernard has 975. There are 558 families in East Baton Rouge Parish receiving DHAP assistance, and 279 in Calcasieu Parish.

CONTACT:
Christina Stephens
Louisiana Recovery Authority
225.603.3896
christina.stephens@la.gov

Did you know that 30-40% of heating and cooling is lost through air leakage in your home? This air leakage occurs mainly in your floors, walls and ceilings. Want to know how to keep air conditioned air where you want it? LSU AgCenter Associate Bill Robinson will help you to understand some of the choices you can make to insulate, air seal, and keep the heat out of your home in the summer. This workshop will cover how insulation, air sealing and radiant barriers will help you lower your energy costs and increase your comfort while maintaining a durable home.

The workshop is sponsored by the Rebuilding Information Station in collaboration with the BuildSmart Learning Center.

Location:
BuildSmart Learning center located at 1001 S. Broad St (under the Broad St overpass).

Contact Information:
Call the Rebuilding Information Station at (504) 280-5577.

"This case management program grew out of the united push earlier this year by the state, the Congressional delegation and nonprofits to extend disaster housing assistance for Katrina and Rita victims," said Paul Rainwater, Executive Director of the Louisiana Recovery Authority, "We are using the time remaining in the program to ensure eligible households are transitioned to the permanent housing voucher program and that other families can find housing that is safe, sustainable and affordable."

For more information please visit Louisiana Recovery Authority's website.