‘Road Home’ a bumpy course for many; ICF called on the carpet

Many people around the Tri-parishes are having to make a choice: take their federally allocated money and rebuild and chance another storm or move, leaving the only life they’ve ever known.

Although the Road Home Program has been picking up speed, more and more homeowners applying for federal grants are having to make the choice, lawmakers are saying not enough people are seeing actual awards.

Residents whose homes were disheveled by hurricanes Katrina or Rita can qualify for up to $150,000 and can make one of three choices once appraisers come up with the total benefit calculation: fix the home and stay, sell and buy another in Louisiana, or sell and move out of state.

Those homeowners who chose to move out-of-state will receive a 40 percent reduction of their total calculation.

As of Dec. 7., the program reported receiving as many as 86,422 applications. Of those 1,008 Terrebonne Parish residents had applied, 218 from Lafourche and 167 from St. Mary.

Nearly a thousand additional applications were received between Dec. 7 and Dec. 12, bringing the total number to 87,303. A parish breakdown was not available as of press time.

Of the total number who came to a decision in Terrebonne, so far, three families decided to pack-up and move out of state. Some 705 residents made a choice to stay and 124 chose to sell and move elsewhere within Louisiana’s borders. The remaining have not made a choice or information remains unavailable.

One Lafourche family will sell their home and leave the state, while 21 will sell but stay. Road Home officials said 166 families decided to rebuild their current homestead.

No residents chose to the move-and-sell option in St. Mary Parish; only 17 homeowners decided to sell while 111 plan to use the money to fix homes.

The Road Home Program has calculated over $800 million worth of benefits after application assessment and the average Louisiana household has received an estimate of $78,714.

The numbers sound upbeat but legislatures are saying the process is too slow and giving a vote of no-confidence to ICF International, the contractor running the Road Home Program.

According to the Office of Community Development, ICF has been paid $80 million for its work in a contract worth as much as $756 million. For state lawmakers like state Sen. Reggie Dupre, aiding only 82 homeowners out of an estimated 123,000 who are eligible in five month has not been acceptable.

“The largest amount of problems has been in and around the New Orleans area. I have heard horror stories with what has been going on over there,” said Dupre, commenting on the lax efforts of ICF. “Obviously, they should have had more people seeing money by now.”

Dupre said a unanimous vote on Dec. 15 by lawmakers passed a resolution that will demand Gov. Kathleen Blanco to cancel the three-year contract with ICF, which has been the sole contributor keeping people from getting back home as quickly as possible n the very reason the governor and the LRA created the program.

“They needed multiple mobilized offices in that area to help all the people in need,” said Dupre. He said the New Orleans housing assistance center is experiencing more problems than the Terrebonne center because of the higher volumes of people needing aid.

“We are all backing our colleagues on this one,” he said.

The Office of Community Development has been monitoring the Road Home program and director Suzie Elkins said although issues, the agency has not been completely dissatisfied with ICF’s work.

The company staffed housing assistance centers and ramped-up the program quickly after its start, she said.

“What happens after homeowners meet with a Road Home advisor is all information is compiled and a letter is sent, declaring how much each owner will be awarded,” explained Carol Hector-Harris, spokesperson for the Road Home Program. “When they receive that letter they have 30 days to make their decision.”

Hector-Harris said while families are reviewing their letter, advisors review all information n from insurance claims to FEMA awards to property ownership n to make sure everything checks out and homeowners receive the deserved award.

“We generally give homeowners 30 days in order to keep the process moving along, but if for some reason they need more time, they can issue that request in writing,” she said.

Of the 87,303 applications received from the program’s inception in August, only 82 awards, totaling more than $4.3 million, have been administered for spending.

“Certainly with over 10,000 letters recently sent, we will see that number increase,” said Hector-Harris. “The speed in which money is awarded is now up to homeowners. Once the decision is made, the award is theirs.”

Lawmakers still want to know what options they have, regarding the contract with ICF: whether they can withhold money until the company performance improves, tie payments or completely dismiss the company.

Andrea Carlson can be reached at (985) 876-3008 or andrea@tri-parishtimes.com.

Staff photo by Andrea Carlson * Tri-Parish Times/ Over 1,393 Tri-parish residents have been processed at the Road Home Housing Assistance Center in Houma, according to officials.