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AARON F. BROUSSARD
PARISH PRESIDENT
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News Release
Issued By:
Jefferson Parish
Department of Public Information
Jacquie Bauer, Public
Information Officer
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April 20, 2006
For Immediate Release
JEFFERSON PARISH ACCEPTING REQUESTS
FOR FEMA DEMOLITION OF HURRICANE-DAMAGED RESIDENCES
Jefferson Parish homeowners whose primary residence has been severely damaged by Hurricanes Katrina or Rita may be eligible for assistance from the parish/FEMA in removing their storm-damaged house.
Residents in unincorporated Jefferson Parish and in the cities of Gretna, Lafitte, Westwego, Kenner and Grand Isle who cannot remove their damaged house on their own or through other means such as insurance, are being urged to submit a request and Right-of-Entry Form by April 30, 2006 if they want to be considered for a special private property demolition program that the parish and FEMA have initiated to continue cleanup throughout the area. Two-hundred fifty-two applications for demolition have been filed to date.
The program focuses on houses that are structurally unsound and pose an immediate danger to public health and safety or other improved property because of damage from Katrina or Rita. It does not cover houses that were in a blighted or unsafe condition prior to the two hurricanes.
To be considered for the program, interested homeowners must be willing to complete and submit a right-of-entry form to the appropriate agency listed below by April 30, 2006 that grants permission for entities such as Jefferson Parish staff, FEMA, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and/or its contractors to go onto a residents private property to evaluate and/or remove the hurricane-damaged dwelling.
Right-of-entry forms can be obtained and completed forms should be submitted by April 30, 2006 as follows:
Residents in unincorporated Jefferson Parish, Gretna, Kenner, and Westwego: at the Jefferson Parish Damaged Structures Demolition Program Managers office, 2748 Metairie Lawn Drive, Suite A, Metairie, LA 70002, Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. For more information on right-of-entry forms or the parishs demolition program, please call 504-828-1558 or 504-828-1559 between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Lafitte residents: at Lafitte Town Hall, 2654 Jean Lafitte Blvd., Lafitte, LA 70067 or at the Jefferson Parish Damaged Structures Demolition Program Managers office, 2748 Metairie Lawn Drive, Suite A, Metairie, LA 70002, Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. For more information on right-of-entry forms or the demolition program, Lafitte residents please call 504-689-2208 or 504-828-1558 or 504-828-1559 between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday.
Grand Isle Residents: at Grand Isle Town Hall, 170 Ludwig Lane, Grand Isle, LA 70358, or at Digital Engineering and Imaging Inc., 527 West Esplanade Avenue, Suite 200, Kenner, LA 70065; Monday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and on Friday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. For more information on right-of-entry forms or the demolition program, Grand Isle residents please call 504-468-6129 and request to speak with Frank Liang.
The program is being managed by the parish and funded for a limited time by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
Homeowner participation in this special demolition program is voluntary. Signing a right-of-entry form does not transfer title or deed of the property to another party but is required for the evaluation and possible structural removal to take place.
When completing the right-of-entry form, residents should bring the following documentation: -
Photo ID
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Proof of ownership
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Insurance policy or coverage letter
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Information regarding lien holders, mortgage holders, legal judgments, tax assessments, community property settlements, heirs, successions, etc., if applicable.
Once the right-of-entry form is completed and submitted to the parish, a site assessment will be done to determine if the structure meets eligibility criteria for removal under the parish program. A historic and environmental review also will be conducted, as required by federal law, for certain FEMA-funded projects.
If the dwelling is eligible under the parish program, removal will take place in the coming weeks at no cost to the homeowner. Residents will be notified of the pending demolition prior to work beginning. Concrete slabs will not be removed. Other outbuildings that are not a primary residence generally are not eligible under this program.
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Property owners should remove any personal belongings/property they want to save as soon as possible. Residents are urged to heed official notices that may be posted on the structure regarding the ability to go inside and to keep their own safety in mind when attempting to remove belongings from any damaged building.
This program does not preclude any homeowner or their insurance company from removing a hurricane-damaged dwelling on their own. Proper permitting must be obtained and the resulting debris MUST be hauled off to an authorized landfill. Debris from private demolitions performed by a private contractor will not be picked up from the property or a public right-of-way. Any debris from private demolitions performed by a private contractor outside of this Parish/FEMA Demolition Program is the responsibility of the contractor performing the demolition.
Residents are advised that while precautions will be taken to use care during the demolition process, some property damage may occur and that signing the right-of-entry form holds the government and its agents harmless from responsibility for that damage.
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