Louisiana Hires Firm to Help Grant Seekers

Louisiana has hired a consulting firm, ICF International, to assist nearly 120,000 homeowners in applying for state grants to rebuild their hurricane-damaged and flooded properties.Louisiana has $4.2 billion in Community Development Block Grant funds lined up to fund the "Road Home" grant assistance program, which is designed to cover the costs of repairing or rebuilding homes damaged in hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Eligible homeowners can receive grants of up to $150,000. "The ICF team is committed to combining our deep program expertise in housing and community development, disaster recovery, and grants management to help restore the vitality of this great state," said ICF senior vice president Michael Byrne. Over the next four months, the Fairfax, Va.-based consulting firm will set up centers to process grant applications and provide housing counseling. Over 90,000 residents have signed up for Road Home grants, and it is estimated that another 30,000 homeowners could qualify.