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Table of Contents

Lot Next Door Program

http://www.noraworks.org/residents/lot-next-door

The Lot Next Door (LND) program, managed by the New Orleans Redevelopment Authority(NORA), allows residents to purchase a NORA-owned property (including Road Home properties sold to the state) immediately next door to their own. Call 504-658-4400 or visit the NORA website for more information. more

Road Home and Taxes

http://www.irs.gov/businesses/small/article/0,,id=171341,00.html

This FAQ on the IRS website covers the Road Home grant as it applies to taxes.

Times Picayune Answer Spot

http://blog.nola.com/answerspot/

This weekly feature from the Times Picayune answers your recovery questions, including timely Road Home information.

The "New" Soft Second Mortgage Program

http://www.nola.gov/softseconds

The new version of the Nagin Administration's Soft Second program allows developers to use the program to rebuild blighted or empty lots where otherwise the financing doesn't make sense.

Financial Assistance Back to Top

Louisiana Citizens Insurance Tax Credit

http://www.rev.state.la.us/sections/general/calac/default.aspx

Residential and commercial property insurance policyholders will receive an income tax credit for the Louisiana Citizens Property Insurance Corporation regular and special assessments they paid because of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. You can still file for this credit. Find out more on the Department of Revenue website. more

$7500 Individual Hazard Mitigation Grant

http://www.doa.louisiana.gov/cdbg/dr/hmgp/hmgp.htm

This grant is available to Road Home grant recipients only and offers reimbursement for storm shutters, roof tie-downs, the cost of lifting heating and cooling units and other mitigation measures. The grant program is accepting applications through March 10th at 877-744-7235. You must have your Road Home application number ready. Click the link for more information about the IMM program. more

ICC Coverage

http://www.fema.gov/plan/prevent/floodplain/nfipkeywords/icc.shtm

If you have a standard flood insurance policy, your home was more than 50% damaged, and the house falls below base flood elevation requirements, you qualify for Increased Cost of Compliance coverage, which offers up to $30,000 toward raising a home.

Buy a House
Find out about grants and loans to help you buy a house in our Buy a House section.

Foreclosure Avoidance Back to Top

Avoid Foreclosure Scams

Tips for Avoiding Foreclosure Scams

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The Greater New Orleans Fair Housing Action Center has compiled a list of possible scams that target homeowners facing foreclosure.

HUD's Guide to Avoiding Foreclosure

http://www.hud.gov/foreclosure/index.cfm

This guide offers valuable information for homeowners in foreclosure or at risk of foreclosure.

HUD-Approved Foreclosure Avoidance Counseling Agencies

http://www.hud.gov/offices/hsg/sfh/hcc/fc/index.cfm?&webListAction=search&searchstate=LA&filterSvc=dfc

This list includes agencies around the state of Louisiana that are approved by HUD to provide foreclosure avoidance counseling.

ACORN Foreclosure Avoidance

http://acornhousing.org/TEXT/fap8.php

ACORN Housing has a national mortage default counseling program Home Equity Loss Prevention Program (HELP) which assists homeowners struggling to bring their loans current. ACORN counselors have relationships with 28 major lenders in the U.S. working to homeowners get their loans out of foreclosure. Services include assistance with budget and credit issues, repayment plans, forbearance plans, loan modifications, refinances, and partial claims.
Contact an ACORN Housing Counselor at 504-267-3750 or 504-827-2114 or 1-888-409-3557 more

Greater New Orleans Fair Housing Action Center

http://www.gnofairhousing.org/HOP.html

The Greater New Orleans Fair Housing Action Center's Homeowner Protection program seeks to protect homeownership by providing assistance in several areas including mortgage issues, foreclosure avoidance, Road Home assistance, insurance issues, contractor complaints, and homestead exemption and tax advising. Visit the website or call 504-596-2100 for more information.

Hope for Homeowners: Foreclosure Assistance

http://www.995hope.org/

The Hope for Homeowners program can help homeowners facing foreclosure with assistance and resources to help you get back on track. Call the homeownership hotline at 1-888-995-HOPE for immediate assistance 24/7. more

ACORN Predatory Lending Assistance

http://acornhousing.org/TEXT/predlend.php

ACORN won a class action litigation settlement relating to the mortgage lending practices of Household Finance Corporation and Beneficial Corporation which created provisions for a Foreclosure Assistance Program (FAP). Under this program, borrowers who are behind on their loans because they cannot afford the payments could be eligible to have their interest rates reduced enough for their loans to become affordable again.
If you have suffered a verifiable loss of income or a verifiable increase in expenses since the time you took out your loan (such as loss of employment, temporary or permanent disability, reduction in monthly pay, increase in mortgage interest rate, child care, taxes or medical expenses), you may be eligible for hardship relief. ACORN also has a Fresh Start program for borrowers who have lost their homes through foreclosure to HFC.
For more information, visit the website or call 504-267-3750 or 504-827-2114 or 1-888-409-3557. more

Elevate Your House Back to Top

Elevation Information, Options, and Funding

http://www.buildnownola.com/rebuilding/index.php/#Elevation

Build Now New Orleans outlines everything you need to know about elevating your home, including information on the Road Home Elevation Grant, the HMGP Grant, and ICC Funding. Important phone numbers and deadlines are listed. Build Now also holds regular talks on how to elevate your home. See our calendar for upcoming events.

Elevation Grant Deadline Extended

http://www.doa.louisiana.gov/cdbg/dr/hmgp/hmgp.htm

For applicants who received forms to apply for HMGP elevation grants, you can still send in those forms or request another copy if you did not send it yet. A new deadline date has not been announced yet but applicants are strongly encouraged to submit their grant request forms immediately.

If you are demolishing your house and building a new one, your HMGP elevation grant of up to $100,000 is determined by total allowable costs for construction and elevation minus total Road Home grant, FEMA structural damage funds, insurance benefits, and ICC money.
If you are elevating and repairing your house, your HMGP elevation grant of up to $100,000 is determined by total allowable costs for elevation minus Road Home elevation grant and ICC money.

For details and to determine your HMGP eligibility to start rebuilding, contact 1-877-744-7235 or 1-225-339-3746 or hazardmitigation@la.gov.

*Save all building plans, permits, receipts, and other proof of payment of costs to be reimbursed by an HMGP elevation grant, should you be eligible. more

Rebuilding Information Station

http://rebuildinginfostation.org/

The Rebuilding Information Station is now online-only, with a website that features a wealth of information on rebuilding including energy efficiency, project planning, financing, water protection, and more.

Road Home Elevation Program

http://road2la.org/homeowner/faqs.htm#9

The Road Home website covers the latest information about the elevation grant. The deadline to submit your elevation funding request was December 5, 2008. Returning the form only indicated that you have an interest in possibly elevating your home and would like to be considered for funding after you investigate your options further and decide whether or not to elevate. If you have questions about the Road Home Elevation Incentive or the State HMGP Awards call the main Road Home information number at 1-888-762-3252. Choose the regular "homeowner option" and the advisor that answers can service any type of call.

Rebuild Your House/Build a House Back to Top

Guide to Hiring a Contractor

Contractor Fraud Survey Findings

http://www.louisianarebuilds.info/files/Survey.pdf

This survey was conducted to ascertain what impact contractor fraud is making on the recovery in the Greater New Orleans area. Survey data was gathered between November 2008 and February 2009 using an online survey program (Survey Monkey) targeting LouisianaRebuilds.info visitors and subscribers. This .pdf documents the full results of the survey, a collaboration between LSU, LouisianaRebuilds.info, and PolicyLink. more

Contractor Fraud Survey Summary

http://www.louisianarebuilds.info/files/Survey_Summary.pdf

This brief summarizes the major findings of the Contractor Fraud Survey.

Free or Low-Cost Rebuilding Assistance

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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.

$7500 Individual Hazard Mitigation Grant

http://www.doa.louisiana.gov/cdbg/dr/hmgp/hmgp.htm

$20 Million Gentilly Homeowners Initiative

http://www.libertybank.net/personal/loans/ghi.cfm

The $20 million Gentilly Homeowners Initiative (GHI) is a Liberty Bank program that can provide financing to existing and potential homeowners for the rehabilitation and/or purchase of homes in the Gentilly area of New Orleans (bounded by Gentilly Avenue, Bayou St. John, Leon C. Simon Drive and the Industrial Canal).

Through the Gentilly Homeowners Initiative, Liberty will provide assistance to homeowners in estimating cost of completion, identifying contractors, and financing options to rebuild their homes and their neighborhoods. All contractors who work on GHI financed properties will be Liberty qualified in terms of the quality of their work, professionalism, affordability of pricing (rehabilitation versus new construction), licensing and insurance or bonding requirements. For more information call Liberty Bank Customer Care at (504) 240-5288. more

Preservation Resource Center Salvage Store

http://www.prcno.org/utilities/news/1015

The Salvage Store sells salvaged rebuilding materials for bargain prices. Items available for sale include used windows, doors, columns, brackets, and wrought iron railings. The store is open from 10am – 4pm, Tuesday – Saturday, at 2801 Marais St. in the Bywater. more

Habitat ReStore

http://www.habitat-nola.org/restore/index.php

Habitat ReStore accepts donations and resells new or used items such as sheetrock, roofing materials, doors, cabinets, and more for 30% to 90% off retail prices. All profits from the Habitat ReStore are used to help Habitat build more houses in the New Orleans area.
Habitat ReStore is located at 2830 Royal Street and is open Wednesday thru Saturday 9:30am-5pm.
Donations of doors, windows, cabinets, working appliances, roofing materials, sheet rock, and lumber are needed. Any building or remodeling material that's in good shape can be recycled through the Habitat ReStore, saving dumping costs and providing a tax deduction. To make a donation, drop it by the store, or call the Habitat ReStore at (504) 943-2240 to arrange for pickup. more

Rebuilding Consultation

Rebuilding Information Station

http://rebuildinginfostation.org/

ACORN Housing: Rebuilding Consultation for 9th Ward and NO East Homeowners

http://www.acornhousing.org/TEXT/offices.php?reg=4

AHC NOLA Development offers rehab/rebuilding consultation services to current Lower Ninth Ward and New Orleans East homeowners. The goal of this program is to help property owners navigate the rebuilding process. This service will include some or all of the following elements:

Contractor education
Help developing a scope of work outline to be used when soliciting bids from contractors
Help checking contractor credentials (LA State License, Insurance, and references)
Help bidding your construction job out to contractors (competitive bidding process)
Help interpreting contracts (check for important elements of a construction contract)
Help selecting a contractor
Help setting up a payment schedule based on work completed according to construction schedule and inspections
Help overseeing construction

For more information, call 504-267-3750 or 504-827-2114. more

Build Now New Orleans

http://www.buildnownola.com/index.php

Build Now is a non-profit home-builder that helps New Orleans residents who lost their homes as a result of Hurricane Katrina overcome the obstacles preventing them from rebuilding. Build Now assists each client with everything from choosing a floor plan to finding financing, and then builds a new home on the client's lot. Build Now holds a speaker series on the 3rd Thursday of every month called Build Now Talks. Visit the website or call (504) 324-3964 for more information. more

Preservation Resource Center

http://www.prcno.org/

The Preservation Resource Center offers a wealth of information for homeowners who are repairing or renovating, informative workshops, and a library of important rebuilding resources.

Rebuilding Manuals

Rebuilding Flood damaged Homes Manual (.pdf)

http://www.afhh.org/res/res_pubs/shrfdh.pdf

This guide from the Alliance for Healthy Homes lays out how to clear out, decontaminate, and restore flood-damaged homes in a safe, healthy and affordable manner. The easy to read, illustrated manual emphasizes how to make homes better able to withstand high winds and water intrusion.

LSU AgCenter "LA House" Resource Guide

http://www.lsuagcenter.com/en/family_home/home/la_house/my_house/

The LSU Ag Center has put together a resource guide of checklists and information to help you rebuild your house. Information covers energy efficiency, healthy home-building, hazard-resistant materials, and more. more

Rebuilding? Get a Copy of the Louisiana Speaks Pattern Book

http://www.louisianaspeaks.org/planning.html?c=7

The Louisiana Recovery Authority's Louisiana Speaks initiative has put together the Louisiana Pattern Book, a reference guide of building designs and materials that will enable people to rebuild using more storm-resistant materials while maintaining the architectural character of South Louisiana. Visit the Louisiana Speaks website to download the Pattern Book. more

Clean Your House Back to Top

Mold Removal Guide

http://www.dhh.louisiana.gov/offices/publications.asp?ID=145&Detail=716

Download this guide to mold removal from the CDC.

Free Lead Paint Tests

ACORN is helping individuals obtain free lead-paint tests. Call (504) 943-0044, ext. 155.

Creating a Healthy Home: A Field Guide for Clean-Up of Flooded Homes (.pdf)

http://www.nhsnola.org/FloodCleanupGuide.pdf

Download this illustrated step-by-step instructional guide for do-it-yourselfers and contractors. You can also order a free copy by calling 585-327-5530. more

Demolish Your House Back to Top

Is My House on the Demolition List?

http://www.cityofno.com/portal.aspx?tabid=118

View a list of properties considered a nuisance and slated for demolition according to New Orleans' Gutting Ordinance.

Deconstruction: An Alternative to Demolition

http://www.mercycorps.org/topics/hurricanekatrina/1319

Deconstruction is done by contractors who take a home apart piece by piece to salvage reusable materials, recover items of historic value, and reclaim personal belongings if possible. For information call 225-236-2037.

Permits Back to Top

Research Property Titles

http://www.notarialarchives.org/

The Notarial Archives is a government agency that files and maintains land records and other contracts recorded in Orleans Parish. You can find out who owns a property at the archives, which is located at 1340 Poydras Street, Suite 500. Call (504) 568-8577 for more information. more

Orleans Parish Building Permits

http://www.cityofno.com/Portals/Portal37/portal.aspx

Safety & Permits-City Hall
1300 Perdido Street, Room 7E07
New Orleans, LA 70112
(504) 658-7130

St. Bernard Parish Permits

http://www.sbpg.net/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=317&Itemid=156

Click the link for St. Bernard permitting information or call (504) 278-4310.

St. Tammany Parish Building Permits

http://www.stpgov.org/departments_permits_downloads.php

Department of Permits & Regulatory:
21490 Koop Drive
Mandeville, LA 70471
Phone: 985-898-2574

Slidell Office:
61134 Military Road Slidell
Slidell, LA 70458
Phone: 985-646-4166

Jefferson Parish Building Permits

http://www.jeffparish.net/index.cfm?DocID=1178

East Bank
1221 Elmwood Pk. Blvd., Suite 101
Harahan, LA 70123
8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Commercial: 736-6959
Residential: 736-6957

West Bank
400 Maple Street
Harvey, LA 70058
8:00a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Commercial: 364-3658
Residential: 364-3512
more

Green Building Back to Top

New Orleans Solar Map

http://www.neworleanssolarmap.org/

The New Orleans Solar Map is a great tool for local residents to learn about solar and check out installations around the city, and comes at an important time when accurate information is harder to find.

Entergy Energy Efficiency Programs

http://www.entergy-neworleans.com/energy_efficiency/residential.aspx

Entergy New Orleans encourages energy efficiency by providing rebates for ceiling insulation, wall insulation, air sealing, duct sealing, and high efficiency air conditioning and heat pumps in existing homes. Depending on what measures installed the customer may be able to receive rebates as much as $1,000 when installing a new high efficiency A/C, ceiling and wall insulation.

Entergy also provides incentives to new home builders for homes that are built 15% greater than the 2006 IECC Energy Code currently in place in Orleans Parish.

For more information, visit the website or call 1-866-721-0249, Monday – Friday, 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. more

Build it Back Green

http://www.globalgreen.org/bibg

BIBG, a service of Global Green, can help you rebuild your home in a healthier, more energy-efficient way, helping you to reduce monthly utility costs. Homeowners can call Global Green to learn how simple home modification upgrades can save up to 20% on utility bills. Personalized energy assessments are available, as well as information about green products that can be purchased locally. Visit the website for rebuilding tips, schedule an in-person consultation, or check the BIBG calendar for informational presentations. Stop by the Resource Center at 841 Carondelet to learn more about green building technologies or energy savings or call 525-2121 for more information. more

The Green Project

http://www.thegreenproject.org/

The Green Project, located in New Orleans, recycles building components, materials, and paints, along with occasional supplies, furniture, appliances, or garden items. Visit the Green Project for low-cost building materials, or donate your materials for re-use. more

Global Green USA

http://www.globalgreen.org/

A resource center for environmentally friendly building products and information.
Open Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., and Thursdays, noon to 8 p.m.
841 Carondelet St. more

Go Green NOLA

http://www.gogreennola.org/

Go Green NOLA is a guide for the New Orleans community on how to build and live in a green and sustainable way. Find information on energy efficient building and living, gardening, recycling, local foods, local farmers markets, and more. more

Green Light New Orleans

http://www.greenlightneworleans.org/

Green Light New Orleans aims to help residents reduce energy consumption and energy bills by offering to change old style incandescent bulbs to modern compact fluorescent lighting FREE of charge. Each CFL will save the user more than $45 over the life of the bulb. They will come to your home and exchange your light bulbs at no cost to you. Homeowners and renters are eligible. Read more and sign up on their website. more

Recycling in New Orleans (.pdf)

http://recycle.tulane.edu/PDFs/Recycle_Book_Winter2008.pdf

Download this directory to find out where you can recycle in the New Orleans area.

Tips for Reducing Summer Utility Bills

http://lsuagcenter.com/en/family_home/home/design_construction/Design/Remodeling+Renovation/Improving+Energy+Efficiency/

The LSU Ag Center has compiled a list of cost-effective ways to reduce summer utility bills.

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