[FoCHAT] CHATNews: More pleas from applicants for not diverting RH funds

Mon Sep 21 22:56:34 CDT 2009

Sept. 21, 2009

Dear CHAT Member,

We are very concerned about the Louisiana Recovery Authority (LRA) publicly stated intentions to consider asking for approval to divert its uncommitted ~$0.5 – 1 billion of federal funds away from applicants to the Louisiana Road Home Program for Homeowner Assistance to the victims of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. 

Many thousands of applicants have been the victims of inconsistent and unfair treatment by the RH that led to this so-called “surplus.” 

To correct remaining shortchanging mistakes (probably in the thousands), appeals should be re-opened, with written standards for determining the outcome, and decided by independent individuals who have the necessary background.

Below are more excerpts of some of the emails sent to CHAT within the last month. They have been made anonymous.

More applicants' emails from last month are at our blog.

http://www.chatushome.com/blog/?p=64

You are welcome to leave comments by clicking on Submit Comments at our blog.

I am appealing Road home’s reason for designating my property “ineligible based on structure type”.  First, my property is not a “quad”. It is a double as attested to by two Road Home inspectors.

I have had two Road Home inspections; January 2006 and eight weeks ago. In each case, the inspectors stated to me in person and assured me that they would list in their reports that my property at is a “double”, by Road Home definition. Pictures from the inspector are included in the report. Two storage spaces upstairs were not habitable for the previous 30 years. At no fault of my own, in spite of their inspector’s reports, Road Home errantly, continues to designate my property as a “quad”. 

Countless phone calls, emails, office visits, interviews, etc. have not been successful in prompting anyone in the Road Home hierarchy to make the simple change of property designation to reflect it’s true nature as a “double”. I keep “hearing” from various representatives that, “ … this should have been done, but hasn’t yet ... why don’t you call so-and-so”. 
I’m sick and tired of the runaround! 

I am 83 years old and a lifelong resident of New Orleans…My dad built the house at the same time he built my two sister’s house next door. In an ironic twist of fate, my sister’s house, next door, was approved and closed for $119,000.00 from Road Home. They are currently living in their home while they continue to repair.

Listen, during my childhood, adolescence, adulthood and now, golden years, I have always “played by the rules”; been a law-abiding citizen, paid my taxes, voted and never complained!
I swallowed my pride, when segregation prevented me equal status in my homeland. Conversely, I felt great pride when America abolished Jim Crow legislation. I cheered when, New Orleans, in particular, and America, in general, opened the voting booths, courts, jobs, etc. to all citizens.
Through it all, I’ve been a faithful American citizen.

In 1943, I didn’t make excuses, or, look the other way when our country was at war. No, I served in the U. S. Navy. I stood up and fought for America. I didn’t ignore my country’s call. So, somebody tell me why am I being ignored now, by my government? 
I didn’t cause the levees to fail. Yet, when I try to get a simple call-back from the Road Home representatives, at all levels of the process, I am treated like the villain. I am given the feeling that I no longer matter … I no longer count … my plight is falling on deaf ears!
I hear, “ineligible”. How can I be ineligible for help from my government for damage sustained to my property, at no fault of mine, that my father built and I’ve maintained and dutifully, paid taxes on for over half-a-century. 

I willingly put my life on the line for America. How can my government, at best, ignore me and at worst, “reject” me at my only time of need?
I’m not asking much, only that anyone at Road Home just takes the time to review the inspector’s reports and simply update my file to reflect the true nature of my property as a “double”.

Once that simple act is done, I can move forward as the “eligible” applicant that I am and begin the process of repair. I was told the Road Home’s mission is to help Louisiana citizens return home. That’s all I want; To Come Home!
I stood up for America, when she needed me. I’m imploring you to help me now that I need you to stand up for me, a son of America.
NOTE:
I reserve the right to supplement my appeal.
Patriotically,

We are writing about a very serious problem with the Road Home Program. 

We applied in both round 1 and round 2 of the Small Rental Program and were denied each time. The denial letter stated that we were ineligible due to the fact that the rental unit was not "continuously vacant since 11/1/06" . Only homes that were still vacant or partially vacant would be considered. We used our own retirement funds and savings to complete repairs on this home since the mayor, governor and other officials were imploring everyone to repair properties as soon as they possibly could so that people could return home. We did that because all information stated that Road Home funds would be available for all of the homes that were damaged by the storm.This one certainly was . Never once did we hear that if you repair the home "too soon" it would make you ineligible.  It seems we are being punished for taking action too soon since homes that were damaged at exactly the same time as ours, under exactly the same circumstances, were eligible
 if they had not yet been repaired by this arbitrary date.  To add insult to injury we were denied in appeal and told in both rounds to "continue to look for future small rental programs" that would possibly cover us. We have never seen any additionl Small Rental Program.  The next slap in the face occurred when we read in the paper and heard on the news that the Road Home Program has millions of dollars leftover in funds that they are trying to determine what they should do with. 

Last year we sent a letter to the governor and Sen. Landrieu regarding this problem. The governor responded by referring us back to The Road Home Program. We did not receive a response from Sen Landrieu.There must be someone who can help those of us who have been so unfairly treated. Thank you in advance for any assistance you can provide. 

I close this set with the following email.
Dear Representative Maxine Waters and HUD Officials:
 I am one of many who has fortunately applied for and received a Road Home (RH) grant, for which I am grateful.  However, as a member of Citizens Road Home Action Team (CHAT) for the past three (3) years, I have personally witnessed (during our meetings) the testimony of hundreds of persons who were less fortunate in efforts to secure funding, and also read the heart wrenching occurrences of thousands who have taken CHAT’s survey who want to rebuild and or elevate  their homes, but do not have the finances.  Their only hope is RH!
 As the end of the RH program rapidly approaches, it is on behalf of these fellow Louisianians that  I plead for funds that were allocated for this program to be disseminated among those who are in desperate need and not diverted to any other area.
 I am most appreciative for the concern you have previously exhibited, through legislation, for the victims of the Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, and thank you in advance for your continued cooperation in our quest for fairness and transparency in the Road Home Program.

On Public Access TV (COX 10)The Latest Filming of a CHAT Meeting About Our Complaint to the HUD Office of the Inspector General About the Road Home Program 
  Wed., June 10, Noon-1:30 PM; Fri., June 12, Noon-1;30 PM; Sun., June 14, 10:00-11:30; Mon., June 15, 8:00-10:00; Thurs., June 18, 8:00-10:30; Sat., June 20, 11:00-1:00;  Mon., June 22, 12 - 2 PM; Fri., June 26, 8-10 AM; Wed., July 1, 3 PM; Thurs. July2, 2:30 PM; Fri., July 3, 3 PM; Sun., July 5, 9 AM; Mon., July 6, noon; Tues., July 7, 1:30 PM; Wed., July 8, noon; Mon., July 13, 4 PM; Wed., July 15, 3 PM; Thurs., July 16, 3:30 PM; Mon., July 20, 3 PM; Mon., July 27, 3:30 PM;  Wed., Aug. 5, 3 PM; Fri., Aug.7, 8 AM and 2:30 PM; Mon., Aug. 10, 3 PM; Wed., Aug. 12, 3 PM; Fri., Aug. 14, 12:30 PM;  Tues., Aug. 19, 4:30 PM; Fri., Aug. 22, 2 PM; Sat., Aug. 23, 10:30 AM; Wed.,  Aug. 26, 2 PM; Fri., Aug. 28, 2 PM; Sun., Wed., Sept. 9, 2 PM; Fri., Sept. 11, 2 PM; Tues., Sept. 15, noon; Thurs., Sept. 24, 2 PM; Sun., Sept. 27, 10 AM.

Our website has very much information and our electronic survey for you to tell us about your Road Home status: http://chatushome.com

We are a zero-budget, all-volunteer group, unaffiliated with the Road Home that works mainly on advocating for fairer policies for the Road Home applicants.

Best wishes,

Melanie Ehrlich

Founder, Citizens’ Road Home Action Team (CHAT)

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