[FoCHAT] CHATNews: Homeowner victims of LRA double standard

[Melanie Ehrlich]

Sept. 4, 2009
 
 
Dear CHAT Members,
 
Below is my letter to the editor that was printed today in the Times-Picayune. 
 
Feel free to leave a comment at the newspaper's blog.
 
More to follow in future newsletters about our own updated blog.
 
 
Have a good holiday!
 
 
Melanie 
 
http://blog.nola.com/letterstotheeditor/2009/09/homeowners_victims_of_lra_doub.html#more 
   

Homeowners victims of LRA double standard
Posted by Letters to the Editor September 03, 2009 3:55PM
Re: "Oct. 30 deadline on arbitration: New federal rules may affect Charity dispute, " Page A2, Sept. 1. There is a double standard in the thinking of the Louisiana Recovery Authority -- one standard for homeowner disaster victims and another for state, organizational, and commercial interests in a major building project. 
In the article about LRA's dispute over hurricane-flood damage to the 20-story Charity Hospital, the claim is that the structure, which sustained flood water in the basement and about 3 feet of water on the first floor, is more than 50 percent damaged. In that case, funding from FEMA for replacement, not just repair, is justified. 
However, in LRA's oversight and rule-setting for the Road Home Program, homeowners in two-story or camel-back homes are routinely told that they do not have more than 50 percent damage even if flood waters reached 8 to 12 feet in their homes. 
Equally discordant is LRA's assertion that its appeal of FEMA's damage assessment should be considered by an independent panel unaffiliated with FEMA. 
Road Home applicants' disputes or appeals are decided by the contractor for the program or one of its subcontractors. 
Secondary and final appeals are decided by the state review panel, including members of LRA and other state agencies with Road Home oversight. 
So, LRA invokes independent appeals in its quest for FEMA money for replacing storm-damaged Charity Hospital. But Road Home applicants cannot get an independent appeal in their attempt to rebuild their storm-devastated homes. 
Melanie Ehrlich 
Founder 
Citizens' Road Home Action Team 
New Orleans
 

 In case you have trouble with the full internet address, the letter can be found in the online section:
 
http://blog.nola.com/letterstotheeditor/2009/09/ 
 
 
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