256 companies sought re-entry badges

Figures on the number of companies and individual people that have applied for badges allowing reentry following hurricanes into Terrebonne Parish were announced by Terrebonne Economic Development Auth-ority business liaison Sheila Bella at last week’s TEDA board meeting in Houma.

TEDA was tapped by Terrebonne Parish government beginning this year to issue the badges, which are divided into tiers. Companies and individuals most critical to helping the parish economy to recover after a hurricane are allowed back first, followed by those considered less critical.

Badges cost $5. Though hurricane season started on June 1, the most active part of the season begins in August.

Between May 28 and July 15, 504 badges were issued, Bella said. Two hundred and fifty-six companies and 3,216 individuals applied for the badges.

During the period, 97 applications were denied. The status of 488 badges was pending approval. TEDA CEO Mike Ferdinand said the applicants who were turned down did not meet the criteria to receive badges.

Lafourche and St. Mary parishes have similar programs run by their offices of emergency preparedness.

Also at the meeting, the TEDA board adopted a plan to replace low and moderate income housing that is demolished using federal Community Development Block Grant funds.

The Department of Housing and Urban Development, which runs the CDBG program, issued a rule in 1988 stating that any agency receiving the funds has to adopt a residential anti-displacement plan.

Bella is TEDA’s designated anti-displacement representative.

TEDA will provide relocation assistance to any household displaced by the demolition of low-income housing under the CDBG program. Replacement housing would be provided within three years.

The agency will have to submit to the state information indicating how the replacement housing will be funded and its location. Information would also need to be given about the demolition of property.

TEDA also adopted a citizen participation plan required to receive CDBG funds.

The agency pledged to attempt to notify all residents, particularly low-income residents, that application for CDBG funds is being made that could be used in their area.

TEDA will hold public hearings that will be announced through community organizations and the distribution of leaflets.