Southwest Louisiana Recovery Operations
On August 27, 2020, Hurricane Laura, one of the strongest Hurricanes to ever hit Louisiana, made landfall in Southwest Louisiana as a Category 4 storm, causing widespread destruction and leaving many without power or shelter. The storm resulted in more than $23.3 billion in damages. Hurricane Delta, another powerful storm, hit the same region on October 9, 2020, causing further destruction and stress to an already devastated community. Shortly after those events unfolded, in February 2021, Winter Storm Uri brought record-low temperatures to the region, causing burst pipes, followed by historic flooding on May 17, 2021, in Lake Charles, where 12.49 inches of rain fell, flooding the city and most of Southwest Louisiana. The combined impact of these four disasters during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic left homeowners in Southwest Louisiana in dire straits. In response to the urgent need to rebuild, SBP established its Southwest Louisiana Recovery Operation to help low-to-moderate-income residents in Southwest Louisiana shrink the time between disaster and recovery. Its programs focus on families with small children, the elderly, persons with disabilities, war veterans, and the under and uninsured.
Phone: (504)-390-0963
Connect with our Southwest Louisiana Team on Instagram and Facebook.
OWNER-OCCUPIED REBUILDING PROGRAM
SBP's Owner Occupied Rebuild Program (OOR Program) uses volunteers, charitable donations, and grants to return homeowners to their homes and communities following a disaster. This program serves low to moderate-income residents, focusing on the most vulnerable members of American society. These populations include families with children, the elderly, persons with disabilities, veterans, and individuals without sufficient insurance. AmeriCorps Members from all over the country subsidize this program by serving as Client Service Coordinators, Volunteer Coordinators, Supply and Logistic Coordinators, Construction Coordinators, and Construction Project Leads, overseeing the labor of more than 10,000 volunteers per location each year. SBP's effective use of volunteer labor further reduces rebuilding costs while engaging community members and fostering a shared sense of purpose for all involved. As a result, SBP rebuilds disaster-impacted homes in an average of 61 days at 40% of the cost of market-rate contractors, significantly shrinking the time between disaster and recovery for Americans in need across the country.
Veterans Housing Rehabilitation and Modification Program
Low-income veterans, especially those living with disabilities, are often the last to self-advocate but face a high number of barriers and are among the populations most severely affected when a disaster strikes. A drawn-out recovery without a predictable path forward means prolonged trauma for those who were impacted, and this is especially true when safe and secure housing is lost. Through the Veterans Housing Rehabilitation and Modification Program, SBP addresses this problem by rebuilding, repairing, and performing modifications on homes for low-income veterans living with disabilities. This program currently prioritizes veterans with the highest needs in New Orleans and Southwest Louisiana, Houston Texas, and Puerto Rico. Through this project, SBP performs both interior and exterior repairs and modifications such as drywall, bathroom rebuilds and modifications, re-roofing, and full rebuilds when needed.
Older Adults Home Modification Program
As people age, their needs change, making home modifications essential to safety and well-being. Recognizing older adults' need for home modifications and adaptive equipment, SBP created its Older Adults Home Modification Program (OAHMP), which provides low-income adults, 62 years and older, the opportunity to age in place in a safe and functional home environment. Working in partnership with contracted Occupational Therapists, SBP implements these modifications to help improve mobility, reduce the risk of falling, and optimize independence. Over the past 15 years, SBP has helped 1,500 older adults 62 years or older via the provision of ADA-compliant home modifications.