Here's how Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards administration seeks to streamline flood recovery

A federal law could delay the start of repairs to homes damaged in the 2016 floods – even stop those already underway – if the rehabilitations are being paid for by much of that recovery money Louisiana officials are hustling around Washington to get.

Gov. John Bel Edwards is coming up with wording that could exempt Louisiana homeowners from the long-held federal policy. Failing that, the state is developing procedures that could circumvent the delay.

Once a flood victim applies for the federal dollars being administered by the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development, an environmental inspection is required before work can begin and that can take up to 45 days. Failure to wait for the inspection could cost the homeowner the HUD money.

“We want homeowners to rebuild,” Patrick Forbes, executive director of the Louisiana Office of Community Development told The Advocate Friday.

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