[FoCHAT] CHAT News, 3/23/09: Data from CHAT, GNOCDC, LARebuilds, Road Home Contractors

[Melanie Ehrlich]

Dear FoCHAT Members,
 
In this newsletter: 
Next CHAT meeting.
GNO Data Center, 
LouisianaREBUILDS.info, 
post-closing requests from ICF for already sent applicant data, 
CHAT data 
 
ITEM #1 Appeals Data and Discussion About the Legislative Auditors’ Advisory Council
 
At the next CHAT meeting, this Wednesday (see below), we will discuss the Louisiana Legislative Auditors’ Advisory Council meeting as well as other data collection by CHAT. Two CHAT members, Homer Branch and Mindy Milam, attended the Council meeting and spoke there.
 
We thank the more than 300 CHAT members who wrote to the Council to advocate for fair appeals! You guys are super, given that we have somewhat less than 900 members. A written update will follow next week.
 
Please write to us at chatlra at yahoo.com with “RH Appeals” in the subject and give us important details:
 
·        if you have tried to use the extended appeal option described at our website http://chatushome.com  and at LRA’s (but still NOT at Road Home’s website). Tell us if they gave you a chance to appeal even if the time limit is up or if they have not done so.
 
·        or if your appeal is still hung up
 
·        or if your appeal was unfairly denied.
 
 
 
We heard so far that one applicant with a perfectly legitimate reason for not appealing within the 90 day time limit after closing was refused an appeal under the extended appeal option!
 
 
Our Next CHAT Meeting is this week on Wednesday.
 
·         Time: Meetings on Wed. at 6:30 PM at UNO, usually every other week 
·         Place: Room 179, UNO Milneburg Hall, on Milneburg Rd. (the road where the brand new dorms are, past the stop sign and the University Center and opposite the Fitness Center.
Building #24: Directions to the Business Bldg are given on the Campus Map for UNO 
·         NEXT MEETING Wed., Mar. 25. Newcomers are welcome.* 
 
 
 
ITEM #2
 
For those of you in the NO metropolitan area, here is a very useful website the Greater New Orleans Data Center:
 
http://www.gnocdc.org/
 
Here are some of the data that they have:




Essential Data






Jan

2009

PDF

Child care centers


Jul

2007

Web

Total population estimates - U.S. Census Bureau


Dec

2008

PDF

New Orleans population growth picks up steam in the second half of 2008—reaching nearly 74 percent of pre-Katrina levels by December 2008 - News release about households actively receiving mail in the 7-parish region


Dec

2008

XLS

Households actively receiving mail - by zip code for the 7-parish area 


Dec

2008

PDF

Public schools 


Oct

2008

Web

Public school enrollment - LA Dept of Education


Sep

2008

Web

Block-by-block repopulation indicators for New Orleans - Interactive map of households actively receiving mail pre- and post-K, closed Road Home "Stay and Rebuild" applications and closed Road Home "Sell to the State" applications


Mar

2008

PDF

National benchmarks for blight - Analysis of HUD data on unoccupied residential addresses 


Jun

2008

PDF

Percent Recovery by Neighborhood (pre- and post-K) - News release, map and data table 


Feb

2008

PDF

Regional hospitals 


Jan

2008

PDF

Recovery funding gap


FY

2008

Web

Fair market rents- HUD


Feb

2006

PDF

Housing damage estimates -

 
References:
Maps of New Orleans
·                                 Planning districts - PDF 
·                                 Neighborhood boundaries - PDF 
·                                 Zip codes - PDF 
·                                 Extent of Katrina flooding - PDF 
·                                 Elevation by neighborhood - PDF 
 
 
ITEM #3
 
LouisianaREBUILDS.info  is a great source of information. Check it out if you would like some of the latest information about rebuilding, social services, local government help, and financial assistance.
 
For example:
 
New and Notable
 

Home Repair Loan Program for Elderly and Disabled
The Disabled and Elderly Owner-Occupied Rehabilitation Program will provide forgivable loans of up to $35,000 to applicants who are disabled or aged 62 or older whose income does not exceed 80 percent of the area median income. Residents will have until 5pm on Wednesday, March 25 to submit their applications.
Find out more in our Homeowners section.
 
 
Guide to Contracts 
/node/3778 
This guide tells you everything you need to know about what to look for in a contractor agreement BEFORE you sign anything for work to be done. 
 
Important Tax Information 
/taxes 
Find important information about Federal and State taxes, plus organizations offering tax preparation assistance to low-income residents. 
 
Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) 
http://www.irs.gov/individuals/article/0,,id=130102,00.html 
The Earned Income Tax Credit is the federal government's largest program benefiting lower earning workers. 

EITC is a refundable income tax credit that could put as much as $4,824 into the pockets of a family with two children, or send as much as $2,917 to a family with one child, or up to $438 for a worker with no children. 

The EITC is a valuable but complex tax break. Free help is available to determine eligibility and file to claim the credit at volunteer tax assistance sites or, for those who cannot visit a site during days/hours of operation, at a local IRS Taxpayer Assistance Center. The EITC Assistant, an online tool found on the official IRS website at www.irs.gov, offers simple steps on determining if you qualify for the credit. Taxpayers can also call 1-800-829-1040 to inquire about their EITC eligibility and how to claim the benefit. more less 
 
Rebuilding Together 
http://prcno.org/programs/rebuildingtogether/ 
If you are a homeowner who still needs assistance to finish rebuilding your house, Rebuilding Together New Orleans may be able to help you. 

Services Provided: Assistance completing repairs, volunteer labor
Area Served: Holy Cross, Broadmoor, Tremé/Esplanade Ridge, St. Roch, or Hollygrove
Eligibility: Low income elderly or disabled and first responders
Contact Info: 504-636-3061
Application process more less 
 
Free or Low-Cost Rebuilding Assistance 
/node/2896 
Several organizations are helping homeowners who have limited or depleted rebuilding monies to rehabilitate their homes with the help of volunteer labor and free construction materials. Click for a list of organizations offering assistance. 
 
LouisianaRebuilds.info Contractor Education Videos 
http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid1519720188 
These videos present valuable information about hiring a contractor, creating a contract with a contractor, and avoiding a property lien
 
Low Cost Furniture
Two locally based companies are providing low cost furniture in good condition to residents – no special criteria required. 

Emergency Interiors offers struggling families the opportunity to purchase furniture at a discounted rate of $175 for 5 pieces and $35 for each additional piece. 

Furnishing Our Neighbors offers hospitality and resort furnishings to New Orleans residents for discounted prices including lamps, small tables, and headboards for $8; mirrors, side chairs, computer chairs, nightstands, desks and upholstered chairs for $29; larger items rarely cost over $208. 

For more information about these organizations, visit Recovery Assistance section.
 
The New Orleans Parents' Guide to Public Schools 2009-2010 
http://nolaparentsguide.org/ 
This guide is a must-have for all parents of New Orleans public school children. Download the guide on Nolaparentsguide.org for information on open public schools, policies, school administration, how to register, and more. The new edition includes information about several new schools coming online for the 2009-2010 school year, a simple explanation of how to apply for and enroll in schools, updated data about schools and other exciting new features. You can also find copies at most public schools and public library branches in New Orleans. Check the site regularly for updates and other public school resources. more less 
 
 
 
ITEM #4
 
We have been hearing about requests for applicants to resend data after closing that was previously sent to or handed to ICF or its subcontractors during initial applicant interviews. The data may have been lost, mislocated, or incompletely copied by the contractor. It is not clear that an applicant has a responsibility to re-send data. It is clear that updates about new insurance benefits must be resent.
 
Thank you to the CHAT members who shared this information with us!
 
 
 
ITEM #5
 
Data and descriptions from companies with stewardship of taxpayer money at their websites should be forthright. See items below from websites of ICF and HGI, Road Home Contractors (emphasis added).
 
http://www.icfi.com/Markets/Community_Development/default.asp
 
"At ICF International, we envision vibrant and prosperous inner cities, affordable housing wherever employment opportunities grow, economies that flourish without degrading quality of life, and new bridges over persistent socio-economic disparities. Our job, as economic and community development professionals, is to apply our knowledge, skill, and experience to turn the vision into reality."

—Anita Rechler
Executive Vice President
Our training courses give government and nonprofit personnel the skills and understanding they need to run large and complex programs. We also work in cities and towns nationwide to show grant recipients how to use taxpayer monies most efficiently and productively. We further advise government at federal, state, and local levels on program design and implementation strategy. 
 
http://www.icfi.com/sites/transition/default.asp
Committed to a Successful Transition
Welcome to ICF International's Obama Presidential Transition microsite. Launched on Inauguration Day 2009, this site is your go-to resource for creating and sustaining positive change in government.
Given the critical challenges facing the new Administration from the economy to energy and climate change to early education, ICF has developed this site to provide a range of tools, insights, and best practice resources to support transition efforts and the new administration as it tackles these challenges.
ICF is committed to supporting a successful Presidential transition, stimulus oversight, and innovative reform and will be updating this site regularly with additional timely and relevant content.
 
 
 
And from a CHAT member, we received this insight into the recently de-activated old website of HGI, the company taking over the RHP from ICF.
 
At the HGI website, Judy Hendrix, one of the few board members of HGI (see below), gives the impression that she is a real estate appraiser. This is not the case      http://www.lreasbc.state.la.us/dbfiles/appraiserinfo_new.htm Louisiana Real Estate Appraisers Board website.
 
She is a licensed claims adjuster http://www.ldi.state.la.us/ProducerAdjusterSearch/Detail.aspx?LicenseType=Claims%20Adjuster&LicenseNumber=433286    
 




License Number: 

433286 


Name: 

Judy Lynn Hendrix 


 

 


 

 


 

 


Description: 

Claims Adjuster 


: 

 
Here is what HGI’s website used to state:
http://hgicatservices.tripod.com/ 
HGI CATASTROPHE SERVICES, LLC 
Judy Hendrix, Office Operations Manager 
 Judy is a licensed adjuster and appraiser, and has both field and office management experience in catastrophe and daily claims operations. 
 Judy directed the HGI operations with the New Orleans Tax Commission. 
 
Here is the link to HGI’s new website: http://www.hng.com/products.html  and two excerpts from it.
Emergency Management Services
When hurricanes Katrina and Rita struck the Gulf Coast, H&G mobilized its resources to help thousands of homeowners and businesses put their lives back together. In the months following the storms, H&G managed over 130,000 claims and inspections and disbursed over $3.5 billion (encompassing over 50,000 transactions) in federal funds. When catastrophe strikes, H&G has the resources available to assist with grant administration, program management, payment verification and inspections.
Our catastrophe response program management includes evaluating adjusters, reviewing claims, conducting re-inspections when appropriate, supervising adjusters, creating and distributing reports, and maintaining constant open communication with the client.
 
ITEM #6
 
Citizens’ Road Home Action Team and Data
 
1. Our group could use help with data organizing and collection. Please contact us if you have the Excel skills and interest to do this in your spare time.
 
2. Check our website for updates and access to our online survey so that you can enter any informative updates of your application data:
 
http://chatushome.com
 
 
 
Best wishes,
Melanie Ehrlich
Co-Chairman, Citizens’ Road Home Action Team (CHAT)
Member, LRA Housing Task Force
http://chatushome.com
 
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