Almost 4 years after the 2005 Gulf Coast hurricanes, the region continues to face daunting rebuilding challenges. To date, $19.7 billion in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds have been appropriated for Gulf Coast rebuilding assistance -- the largest amount in the history of the program. This is a report on: (1) how Louisiana and Mississippi allocated their shares of CDBG funds; (2) what difficulties Louisiana faced in administering its housing recovery program; and (3) what human capital challenges Louisiana and Mississippi encountered and the efforts taken to address those challenges. The author interviewed fed. and state officials and reviewed budget data, fed. regulations, and state policies and planning documents. Tables and charts.

This book looks at various aspects of the current legal, policy and fiscal framework for disaster management and its current effects on local capacity building and recommends systemic reform. The authors argue that resources should be used more efficiently and with more flexibility in order to promote local self-reliance and increased resilience. The book presents evidence-based options for policy makers at all levels of government to envision and implement alternative approaches that meet the increasing challenges of the 21st century.

In Nov. 2005, the President issued an executive order establishing the Office of the Fed. Coordinator for Gulf Coast Rebuilding (OFC) with the broad mission of supporting recovery efforts following Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Given their vast size and impact, these storms presented unprecedented rebuilding challenges to federal, state, and local officials which, combined with concerns about the lack of coordination in the government¿s initial response to the disaster, precipitated the creation of the OFC. This report: (1) describes the functions the Coordinator has performed; (2) obtains stakeholder perspectives regarding the office's operation; and (3) provides observations on issues to be considered for moving forward. Illustrations.

The devastation caused by the Gulf Coast hurricanes presents the nation with unprecedented challenges as well as opportunities to reexamine shared responsibility among all levels of gov¿t. All levels of gov¿t., together with the private & nonprofit sectors, will need to play a critical role in the process of choosing what, where, & how to rebuild. Agreeing on what the costs are, what federal funds have been provided, & who will bear the costs will be key to the overall rebuilding effort. This testimony: (1) places federal assistance provided to date in the context of damage estimates for the Gulf Coast; & (2) discusses key federal programs that provide rebuilding assistance to the Gulf Coast states. Illustrations.

Hurricanes Katrina and Rita wreaked havoc on small businesses (SB) in the Gulf Coast, and much federal assistance has been provided to help these SB. This report described: (1) the amount of assistance provided to Gulf Coast SB through the SBA, HUD Community Development Block Grants (CDBG), and the EPA; (2) the extent to which Gulf Coast SB received fed. contract funds; and (3) the current state of and improvements in the region's economy. The report analyzed data on SBA and EDA loans and states' use of supplemental CDBG appropriations, data on prime and subcontracts awarded for hurricane recovery activities, and economic indicators both before and after the hurricanes. Charts and tables. This is a print on demand report.

In response to the 2005 Gulf Coast hurricanes, Congress provided about $130 billion in disaster recovery assistance, including assistance for permanent housing. The objectives of this report were to review: (1) how federal disaster-related assistance for permanent housing has been provided to homeowners and rental property owners; (2) the extent to which federally funded programs have responded to the needs of homeowners and rental property owners; and (3) the challenges that homeowners and rental property owners have faced in applying for and using fed. assistance, and potential options for addressing these challenges. Includes recommendations. Charts and tables.