Roofs For Low Income Owners
BOBBY ARDOIN
St. Landry Now.com Editor
One million dollars in state assistance funding is now available for low income home owners from St. Landry Parish,whose roofs require replacement or repairs, state and local officials announced on Thursday.
The program offered by the Louisiana Housing Corporation Disaster Recovery Department Blue Tarp Program will have representatives available Nov. 17 at the Delta Grand in Opelousas to begin qualifying home owners who could be eligible to receive up to $15,000 in grant funding for new roofs or replacement, according to District 40 State Representative Dustin Miller.
Miller hosted a press conference that included parish, city and board members of the state Housing Corporation at his Opelousas office to announce the roof program that will continue taking applications from prospective home owners through Nov. 21.
The in-person Nov. 17 sign up event will begin at 8 am and last until 4:30 pm, Miller said.
There is also an opportunity for applicants to email or mail their requests for new roofs to state officials through Nov. 21 if they miss the Nov. 17 event, Miller pointed out.
“This is a great opportunity for us to help our citizens who need help with home insurance,” said Opelousas Mayor Julius Alsandor.
Parish president Jessie Bellard complimented Miller for finding the state funding source that will enable St. Landry residents to qualify for the roof program.
“We also have two board members (Lance Ned and Candace Papillion-Hayes) who are now on the Louisiana Housing Development Board. That’s going to be a big advantage for this parish moving forward,” said Bellard.
Louisiana Housing Development Corporation Director Kevin Delahoussaye, who attended the Thursday meeting, said repairing or replacing roofs parishwide should help qualified homeowners reduce insurance rates and increase home values.
Miller and Ned, a building inspector for the City of Opelousas, each pointed out that their offices frequently receive calls from constituents asking for financial help in order to maintain or replace roofs.
Delahoussaye said the state has retained seven contractors who can begin roof work beginning in three weeks, following an inspection process.
In order to qualify for the roof program, Miller said that a person must provide proof of ownership and live in the homes that will be accepted for repairs or replacement.
Persons must also be able to produce birth certificates, personal identification and guarantee not to sell the property for at least one year, following the completion of the roof work, said Miller.
That information should accompany potential qualifiers who attend the Nov. 17 session
The email address available for submitting roof eligibility is bluetarpcenla@lhc.la.gov, Miller added.
Mail in applications can be sent to Louisiana Housing Corporation Disaster Recovery Development-Blue Tarp Program (CENLA) 2415 Quail Drive, Baton Rouge, La. 70808.
