The Office of Community Development
"Public Notice"

CITY OF BATON ROUGE/PARISH OF EAST BATON ROUGE PUBLIC HEARING NOTICE
Neighborhood Stabilization Program Grant
(11/7/2009)

NSP Substantial Amendment (DRAFT)
(available for public review)

On July 26, 2008, Congress passed House Resolution 3221 known as the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008 or HERA, setting aside $3.92 billion to provide assistance for the redevelopment of abandoned and foreclosed residential properties, and providing for the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development to establish the formula allocation through which to fund states and units of general local government with the greatest needs, such needs to be determined by the Secretary.

On September 26, 2008, the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) released its allocation methodology along with the list of states and local governments to receive assistance and how much each would be eligible for. Baton Rouge’s allocation is $2,308,848. Louisiana’s statewide allocation was $34,183,994. Baton Rouge and New Orleans each received allocations of their own, New Orleans’ being $2,302,208.

On September 29, the Federal Register published and released HUD’s notice for implementing its newly created program under the act, to be known as the Neighborhood Stabilization Program. Permissible uses include:

Establishing enhancing mechanisms for purchase and redevelopment of foreclosed upon homes and residential properties.

Purchase and rehabilitation of homes and rehabilitation of homes and residential properties that have been abandoned or foreclosed upon in order to sell, rent or redevelop said homes and properties.

Demolition of blighted structures.

Establishment and maintenance of land banks.

Redevelopment of abandoned or foreclosed property.

A Public hearing will be held during the regularly scheduled City-Parish Metropolitan Council Meeting at the City-Parish Governmental Building, 222 St. Louis Street, Baton Rouge, 3rd Floor Council Chamber on Tuesday November 25, 2008 at 4 p.m. Metro Council hearing and final deadline for public comment.

Additional information on the proposed use of these funds can be accessed from the Office of Community Development website at www.brgov.com/dept/ocd. Written comments on the Neighborhood Stabilization Program Grant may also be submitted to:

Office of Community Development
 P.O. Box 1471
Baton Rouge, LA 70821-1471

or emailed to: ocd@brgov.com

Persons requiring special assistance or accommodations at the public hearings should contact Mary Brown at (225) 389-3039 (voice) or (225) 389-3082 (TDD) at least 48 hours in advance of the hearing.

Please select the following link to download the 2008 NSP Substantial Amendment DRAFT for public review.