NOLA Ready logo
The City of New Orleans

Hurricane Ida Updates

Wed
Sep 29
2021
7:14 PM
Hurricane Ida

City Launches Hurricane Ida Insurance Deductible Program to Assist Homeowners

The City of New Orleans today announced the launch of a new program to assist Orleans Parish residents impacted by Hurricane Ida.   

Beginning tomorrow, Sept. 30, 2021, the Mayor’s Office of Housing Policy and Community Development will accept applications for the Hurricane Ida Insurance Deductible Program. The City expects to spend up to $2 million in Neighborhood Housing Improvement Funds (NHIF) that will provide financial assistance to households earning up to 140 percent of the Area Median Income (AMI), estimated at about $98,140 for a family of four to initiative storm damage repairs.   

“Many of our homeowners are facing substantial challenges in initiating storm damage repairs mainly due to high insurance deductibles,” said Mayor LaToya Cantrell. “We are confident that this program will meet the needs of our residents by lightening their financial burdens. It will also ensure access to safe and healthy housing during the hurricane recovery and in our continuous response to the COVID-19 pandemic.” 

The City’s Hurricane Ida Insurance Deductible Program was initiated to prevent housing displacement by allowing homeowners to proceed with private insurance claims and receive approved assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Although FEMA does not provide payment or reimbursement for insurance deductibles, applicants are encouraged to apply for FEMA assistance. 

Eligible Applicants for the Hurricane Ida Insurance Deductible Program must meet the following criteria: 

  • Experienced sustained residential damage to primary residence during Hurricane Ida 
  • Primary residence is located within Orleans Parish 
  • Household income is at or below 140 percent AMI  
  • Must not possess delinquent City taxes 

Louisiana has one of the highest hurricane insurance deductibles in the nation, typically ranging between two percent to five percent of the insured value of a property, approximately as much as $10,000 for a $200,000 home. The program will remain active while funding is available and is expected to serve between 250-300 households. Payments will be processed directly to the insurance provider. Interested homeowners can apply starting Sep. 30 at https://nola.gov/community-development/hurricane-ida-insurance-deductible-assistance-program/.

For more information on the program, Orleans Parish Residents should contact Richard Boseman, Director of Asset Management for the Office of Housing Policy and Community Development via email at rnboseman@nola.gov or slharris@nola.gov, or by phone at 504-658-4350. The application, insurance policy and estimate of repairs can be emailed or dropped off at the 1340 Poydras Street, 10th Floor office.