The Federal Emergency Management Agency continues to work withthe state of Louisiana on long-term hurricane recovery efforts. Todate, more than $526 million has been paid out in premiums underthe National Flood Insurance Program to policyholders in SouthwestLouisiana.

FEMA has issued 161,096 housing assistance checks, totaling over$404.9 million. This assistance assures that those who had homesdamaged by the disaster and are eligible for assistance have a safeplace to live.

More than $97.1 million has been approved for 53,624 HurricaneRita applicants for other needs assistance. The program providesassistance for serious, disaster-related needs to impactedindividuals and provides financial assistance to individuals andhouseholds who have other disaster-related necessary expenses.

For homeowners and renters, the U.S Small BusinessAdministration has approved a total of 6,036 disaster loans,totaling over $364.1 million. These loans provide the funds neededfollowing the disaster to assist individuals in returning theirhomes and possessions to pre-disaster conditions.

FEMA has completed 262,453 housing inspections. Inspectors checkfor structural soundness to assure safe occupancy, and theinspections provide the information used to determine anapplicant's eligibility for temporary housing and the other needsassistance program. On average, according to FEMA, only 49 percentof those eligible to buy flood insurance nationwide do so.