HUD secretary to tour flooded areas, more help coming

TANGIPAHOA PARISH, LA (WVUE) - Housing and Urban Development Secretary Julian Castro will tour flood-damaged public housing and meet with displaced families.

More than 20,000 homes or structures in Tangipahoa Parish were damaged by flooding.

Part of the plan here and in other damaged areas, includes FEMA putting temporary mobile homes the front yards of thousands of flood victims dealing with severe damage.

These mobile homes will be a significant upgrade from the trailers that appeared after Hurricane Katrina. These houses will be on blocks and strapped down instead of on wheels.

Homeowners with less catastrophic damage will be eligible for grants of up to $15,000 as part of what Governor John Bel Edwards calls a "shelter at home" program.

Some victims will also be able to stay in partner hotels while others may be able to seek temporary shelter in buildings that are not currently leased.

Registration for the program begins Monday.

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