Landrieu, Melancon Announce $17.4M Investment for Affordable Housing in Louisiana

Grants will help create jobs and strengthen communities throughout Louisiana.

09/28/2009 -- WASHINGTON -- United States Senator Mary L. Landrieu, D-La., and U.S. Representative Charlie Melancon, D-La-03, today announced that the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has awarded $9.9 million in grants to communities throughout Louisiana, and an additional $7.47 million to the State of Louisiana.

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The funds were made available through the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program, which allow state and local governments to create suitable living environments, provide affordable housing and create economic opportunities. The grants were made possible by the passage of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. Sen. Landrieu and Rep. Melancon supported the legislation to create jobs in Louisiana and improve the state's infrastructure.

"Creating new jobs and providing affordable housing are two critical stepping stones on the path to economic recovery," said Sen. Landrieu. "These funds provided by the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act will be a big boost for communities throughout Louisiana, particularly those neighborhoods still struggling to provide housing in the aftermath of Hurricanes Katrina, Rita, Gustav and Ike."

"This investment of stimulus dollars in Louisiana will help our local governments revitalize neighborhoods and create more affordable housing for our citizens," said Rep. Melancon. "Thibodaux, Houma, and more than a dozen other communities across Louisiana will benefit from these Community Development grants, helping them rebuild even stronger from the recent hurricanes."

Below is the list of Louisiana communities receiving HUD grants:

• Alexandria $177,284

• Baton Rouge $1,134,353

• Bossier City $142,026

• Houma-Terrebonne $331,797

• Jefferson Parish $960,739

• Kenner $180,197

• Lafayette $440,016

• Lake Charles $230,510

• Monroe $234,964

• New Orleans $4,955,750

• Shreveport $701,081

• Slidell $53,892

• St. Tammany Parish $297,377

• Thibodaux $55,973

Source: Senator Mary L. Landrieu