Gulf Coast Disaster Recovery

Book excerpt: 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.