More federal money means parish could add homes to the program
Fifty additional homes have been added to a federal repair program for people in St. John the Baptist Parish whose houses were damaged by Hurricanes Gustav and Ike.
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The Parish Council on Tuesday awarded the additional work to four current contractors, chosen in a request for proposals earlier this year.
The contracts went to Affordable Residential Modifications LLC, Family Homes by Tommy and Sheila Inc., Chatmon Construction LLC, and E & L Construction and Real Estate LLC.
Residents must own their homes and meet income requirements to be eligible for the program.
The contracts, including administrative costs, will be increased by $736,000. The parish was able to increase the number of homes in the program because of additional federal financing.
In other action, Parish President Natalie Robottom agreed to a Parish Council request to give parish employees an extra day off on Oct. 31. The following day, All Saints Day, already is a holiday.
"Our employees have worked hard, and we don't always have a chance to interact with them, so this is a chance for us to show them some gratitude," said Councilman Charles Julien, who proposed the idea.
The parish has just over 200 employees.
The council also approved an application to apply for state financing for a new hanger at the parish airport, which has an estimated cost of $307,000. and also for funds to enact the airport's five-year, $13 million master improvement plan. Parish approval of the plan allows consultants to seek money for projects.
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Matt Scallan can be reached at mscallan@timespicayune.com or 985.652.0953.
