Sept. 8, 2016
DR-4277-LA
NR-041
NEWS DESK: 225-382-1607
SBA: 916-764-9918
News Release
How Louisiana Property Owners Can Help Disaster Survivors
BATON ROUGE, La. – If you own a multi-family dwelling that needs repairs and are willing to lease to eligible FEMA applicants, then you may be interested in the Multi-Family Lease and Repair Program (MLRP). This FEMA program provides funds to make rental units habitable again, and at the same time helps survivors of the severe August storms and floods.
Here’s how it works: After you and FEMA agree on the work that needs to be done and the associated costs, you may choose your own contractor and start the repairs. The repairs or improvements do not need to be storm- or flood-related. The value of the work will be deducted from the value of the lease agreement, but may not exceed its total value.
To qualify for MLRP funds your property must meet certain criteria. First, it must have five or more units to qualify as a multi-family dwelling. Second, it must have been previously used as a rental unit. And third, it must be located in one of the following parishes: Acadia, Ascension, Avoyelles, East Baton Rouge, East Feliciana, Evangeline, Iberia, Iberville, Jefferson Davis, Lafayette, Livingston, Pointe Coupee, St. Helena, St. James, St. Landry, St. Martin, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa, Vermilion, Washington, West Baton Rouge, or West Feliciana.
In addition, the property must be accessible to community services like schools and grocery stores, and not be located in a flood-prone area. FEMA will require a lease of exclusive use of the property as temporary housing for a period of at least 18 months. The property owner must provide all property management services, and repairs must comply with local building codes, standards, permitting, inspection requirements and other laws.
Contact the Multi-Family Lease and Repair Program at 225-382-1464 or email fema-ia-dhops@fema.dhs.gov if you are a property owner interested in having your rental property repaired and assisting disaster survivors.
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Monitor DOTD’s www.511la.org website for updated road closure information. You can find the latest information on the state’s response at www.emergency.la.gov. GOHSEP also provides information on Facebook and Twitter. You can receive emergency alerts on most smartphones and tablets by downloading the new Alert FM App. It is free for basic service. You can also download the Louisiana Emergency Preparedness Guide and find other information at www.getagameplan.org.
Disaster recovery assistance is available without regard to race, color, religion, nationality, sex, age, disability, English proficiency or economic status. If you or someone you know has been discriminated against, call FEMA toll-free at 800-621-FEMA (3362). For TTY, call 800-462-7585.
FEMA’s mission is to support our citizens and first responders to ensure that as a nation we work together to build, sustain, and improve our capability to prepare for, protect against, respond to, recover from, and mitigate all hazards. Follow us on Twitter at https://twitter.com/femaregion6 and the FEMA Blog at http://blog.fema.gov.
The U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) is the federal government’s primary source of money for the long-term rebuilding of disaster-damaged private property. SBA helps businesses of all sizes, private non-profit organizations, homeowners and renters fund repairs or rebuilding efforts and cover the cost of replacing lost or disaster-damaged personal property. These disaster loans cover losses not fully compensated by insurance or other recoveries and do not duplicate benefits of other agencies or organizations. For more information, applicants may contact SBA’s Disaster Assistance Customer Service Center by calling 800-659-2955, emailing disastercustomerservice@sba.gov, or visiting SBA’s website at SBA.gov/disaster Deaf and hard-of-hearing individuals may call 800- 877-8339.
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