BATON ROUGE, La. (BRPROUD) – A program that helps families with roof repairs has officially launched.
State Rep. Delisha Boyd, the Louisiana Housing Corporation and other elected officials have started the Blue Tarp Fund Roofing Repair Program.
To be qualified, applicants had to meet low-income requirements established by LHC Blue Tarp Grant guidelines. Repair assistance will be provided to up to 125 homeowners.
Boyd said experiencing Hurricane Ida with her parents was an eye-opener.
“We had to go through this whole process of trying to get them a roof. And it was very traumatic. It was traumatic for me, even as a legislator. So, I can only imagine what seniors would go through,” said Boyd.
Applications are currently closed but LHC was able to make an impact on people like Veronica Mack. Mack grew up in a home on Vineyard Drive. Her mother has been its owner since 1997. With some new repairs, they’ll be able to keep it in the family.
“Over time, you know, things get a little worn out. But we try to keep it up as much as we can because this is home. Her grandchildren have been reared here. So, yeah, it’s a family home,” said Mack.
Officials visited the homes to keep track of the progress made by the contractors and said an incentive like this was needed as roofing repair costs continue to rise.
“Folks who may not have the resources to be able to pay for a roof just generally speaking, but also in using an increased cost of materials for construction and to be able to step in, to be able to help them. So those are the folks that we prioritize,” said Hollins Executive Director of LHC.
For more information about the 2023 Blue Tarp Fund Roofing Repair Program, contact the LHC Disaster Recovery Department at 225-763-8700.