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BREAKING: LA flood relief funds to be included in gov't funding bill

September 22, 2016

WASHINGTON, DC - House Majority Whip Steve Scalise (R-La.) today issued the following statement regarding the announcement that $500 million in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding is included in the Continuing Resolution to be made available to flood victims in Louisiana:

"The inclusion of grants for disaster relief in this must-pass legislation is a major victory for the people of South Louisiana who are struggling to get back into their homes after the devastating flooding that inundated our state. While there is more work to be done, securing this down payment is a critical first step in the recovery process. I will continue working tirelessly, along with my colleagues in Louisiana’s Congressional delegation, to ensure that the families and communities impacted by this historic flooding have the help they need to rebuild."

It was announced this afternoon that $500 million of CDBG funds would be included in the government funding bill to be passed this month. The Community Development Block Grant program plays an important role in the recovery after a declared disaster. CDBG is managed by the Housing and Urban Development Agency (HUD) and ensures that funds dispersed address the immediate and urgent threats to health and safety of residents in impacted areas. With CDBG funds, the State is allowed to direct funds towards short-term and long-term disaster relief. CDBG funds can be used for--but are not limited to--debris removal, mitigation activities that prevent future loss, rebuilding homes and businesses, and restoring and revitalizing impacted communities.