News Release

HUD SEARCHING FOR 1,200 KATRINA EVACUEE HOUSEHOLDS FROM SIX LOUISIANA APARTMENT COMPLEXES WHO ARE ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE PERMANENT HOUSING VOUCHERS
Families must sign up by Oct 31, 2008

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is funding Tenant Protection Vouchers (TPVs) for the 1,200 households displaced from the following apartment complexes as a result of Hurricane Katrina:

• Forest Park Apartments – New Orleans, LA
• Redwood I Apartments – Kenner, LA
• Redwood II Apartments – Kenner, LA
• Walnut Square Apartments – New Orleans, LA
• Tanglewood I Apartments – Westwego, LA
• Tanglewood II Apartments – Westwego, LA

A TPV provides rental assistance to help families rent decent, safe, and sanitary housing in the private rental market. As long as households meet all eligibility requirements (similar to those of Section 8 Vouchers), TPVs may be used in communities throughout the United States. Families who were residing in these six properties pre-Katrina, and who are currently enrolled in the Disaster Housing Assistance Program (DHAP) or Disaster Voucher Program (DVP) are still eligible to accept this offer. Unlike DHAP or DVP, Tenant Protection Vouchers do not expire and provide permanent rental assistance.

In July, certified letters were mailed to all 1,200 eligible households. "In less than a month, almost a quarter of these households have accepted this offer," says A. Cynthia Leon, HUD Regional Director. "During the last three years, however, some evacuees have moved from their address of record, so we hope that they can be reached through the major market advertising we have scheduled for later this month and through word-of-mouth. TPVs will offer those families greater security than other housing assistance programs and will allow them to plan for their family's future."

Pre-Katrina residents at Forest Park, Redwood I, Redwood II, Walnut Square, Tanglewood I, and Tanglewood II, must contact HUD by October 31, 2008, to remain eligible for a TPV. They can do so by returning the certification form included in the July mailing, or by calling (205) 731-2611 ext 1091. Additional information, including the July letter and forms that were mailed, can be found at: www.hud.gov/louisiana.

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