WASHINGTON -- United States Senator Mary Landrieu, D-La., today announced Louisiana will receive approximately $73 million in economic recovery act funds to modernize workforce housing throughout the state.

"While Louisiana has been somewhat spared from the foreclosure crisis that has gripped other parts of the country, we have a different kind of housing crisis -- a chronic underfunding of affordable housing opportunities in our urban areas and our many rural communities.

"Hurricanes Katrina and Rita decimated the region's rental housing stock. More than 82,000 rental units sustained damage, and many units remain in a state of disrepair. Efforts to smartly rebuild workforce housing into mixed-income communities are underway, and Louisiana can now use these economic recovery dollars to help modernize workforce housing across our state.

"While these modernization funds are good news, we have experienced firsthand the substandard management practices that plague some housing authorities, as well as the unacceptable conditions in which tenants sometimes live. While these additional dollars will help modernize and improve many units, we must ensure that funds are distributed through effective formulas that are fair, consider special circumstances like disasters, and that reward excellence in management, not mediocrity.

"I will continue working with HUD Secretary Donovan, who joined me in Louisiana this month to view firsthand some of our progress. Secretary Donovan has shown he understands our housing recovery issues and is commitment to helping Louisiana get back on its feet."

"The Louisiana Housing Council — representing 104 Public Housing Authorities across the state — is excited to see the commitment of President Obama, Senator Landrieu and other members of Congress to provide and improve affordable housing for the Louisiana citizens in the greatest need," said Richard Murray, President of the Louisiana Housing Council and Executive Director of the East Baton Rouge Housing Authority. "The capital funds being awarded to our Public Housing Authorities (PHAs) will allow us to begin to meet some of the backlog of physical needs in our properties, as well the opportunity to make them more energy efficient.

"Most PHAs have already begun to solidify their plans for putting these funds to work in our communities and all have executed agreements with HUD to begin these much needed repairs. Louisiana PHAs anxiously await the funds being released from HUD to do our part in stimulating the economy through swift, prudent and accountable expenditures. Senator Landrieu has always been a strong ally for workforce housing, and we look forward to working with her and this administration to further this goal."

In total, HUD will provide nearly $3 billion in recovery act funds through the agency's Public Housing Capital Fund Program in support of local housing authorities. These funds will help Louisiana address needed housing improvements, create jobs and increase energy efficiency. HUD will soon make an additional $1 billion available in capital funding to housing authorities that will be awarded through a competition. Below is a list of the funds being allocated to Louisiana Public Housing Authorities:

New Orleans $34,576,051
Shreveport $1,745,179
East Baton Rouge $2,362,612
Lake Charles $1,811,067
The City of Lafayette $1,012,585
Monroe $3,643,321
Westwego $660,050
The City of Kenner $271,543
Jefferson Parish $390,538
The City of Alexandria $1,745,117
Bogalusa $704,858
The City of Eunice $304,404.00
Kaplan $171,661.00
New Iberia $373,125.00
Rayne $383,479.00
Crowley $699,847.00
Ville Platte $412,145.00
Town of Mamou $229,273.00
The Town of Church Point $228,426.00
Oakdale $274,595.00
Abbeville $273,005.00
The Town of Gueydan $50,034.00
Morgan City $691,994.00
Minden $459,980.00
The Town of Marksville $354,490.00
The Town of Welsh $68,307.00
St. Martinville $226,414.00
The Town of Lake Arthur $105,826.00
Bossier City $907,714.00
Donaldsonville $290,801.00
Thibodaux $702,435.00
The Town of Arcadia $236,259.00
The Town of Vinton $116,229.00
Erath $106,210.00
Farmerville $83,810.00
Ruston $574,093.00
Opelousas $1,416,682.00
The Town of Berwick $230,514.00
Pineville $206,395.00
The Town of Basile $43,308.00
City of Breaux Bridge $197,823.00
Jonesboro $365,349.00
Bunkie $208,558.00
Sulphur $368,543.00
Delcambre $108,078.00
Elton $32,600.00
St. Landry Parish $276,239.00
Oberline $36,266.00
Kinder $54,770.00
Patterson $204,006.00
Cottonport $104,436.00
Simmesport $106,821.00
South Landry $263,721.00
Sabine Parish $542,248.00
Ponchatoula $200,957.00
Ferriday $131,959.00
Logansport $46,682.00
Lafourche Parish $574,465.00
Merryville $174,536.00
Village of Parks $22,664.00
Deridder $247,837.00
Vivian $141,438.00
Homer $181,271.00
Houma $1,258,993.00
Southwest Acadia $96,542.00
St. James Parish $661,751.00
White Castle $266,983.00
St. Charles Parish $226,125.00
St. John the Baptist Parish $697,601.00
Haynesville $209,129.00
Grambling $180,080.00
Gibsland $38,439.00
Independence $103,598.00
Youngsville $33,371.00
Denham Springs $86,032.00
Lake Providence $283,281.00
Slidell $219,926.00
Rayville $193,714.00
Dequincy $140,818.00
Oil City $137,147.00
Winnsboro $297,129.00
Leesville $357,662.00
Mansfield $269,072.00
New Roads $119,812.00
Natchitoches $875,610.00
Cotton Valley $34,988.00
Jennings $347,588.00
Grant Parish $53,267.00
Colfax $167,907.00
Winnfield $221,720.00
Olla $92,370.00
Caldwell Parish $215,875.00
East Hodge $47,530.00
Vernon Parish $157,848.00
Rapides Parish $383,145.00
Duson $53,723.00
Jena $95,445.00
Natchitoches Parish $188,519.00
Town of Iowa $110,196.00
Covington $102,784.00
Fenton $55,462.00
East Carroll Parish $77,315.00

Louisiana Total $72,894,140.00