This report from NPR looks at the many factors that are delaying the disbursement of recovery and housing funds to hurricane victims in the Gulf Coast region.
"Of the 104,000 people who have applied for help from a state-run housing subsidy program called The Road Home, fewer than 500 have received grants."
"The Road Home experience is indicative of what's happened with much of the $110 billion that President Bush often talks about. Less than half of that money has been spent. Some of it has been set aside for long-term construction projects, which always take time. Other funds appear to be stuck in a morass of rules and red tape. The federal government has provided $7.5 billion for The Road Home program, but officials say getting the money to homeowners is the state's responsibility."
"But some critics say the state has imposed its own excessive requirements, noting that a similar program in Mississippi has gone more smoothly. Some in Louisiana are pointing fingers at ICF International, the contractor that was hired to administer the program."
"'We would love to be further along, but there are a number of factors that are outside of our control,' says Carol Hector-Harris, the ICF spokeswoman."
"She says thousands of applicants have yet to come in for their first interview. Thousands more have been approved for grants but have yet to tell the company whether they plan to rebuild or move. That decision affects the size of their check. Additionally, verification is time-consuming."
FULL STORY: Red Tape Ties Up Katrina Funds

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

Chicago’s Ghost Rails
Just beneath the surface of the modern city lie the remnants of its expansive early 20th-century streetcar system.

Amtrak Cutting Jobs, Funding to High-Speed Rail
The agency plans to cut 10 percent of its workforce and has confirmed it will not fund new high-speed rail projects.

Ohio Forces Data Centers to Prepay for Power
Utilities are calling on states to hold data center operators responsible for new energy demands to prevent leaving consumers on the hook for their bills.

MARTA CEO Steps Down Amid Citizenship Concerns
MARTA’s board announced Thursday that its chief, who is from Canada, is resigning due to questions about his immigration status.

Silicon Valley ‘Bike Superhighway’ Awarded $14M State Grant
A Caltrans grant brings the 10-mile Central Bikeway project connecting Santa Clara and East San Jose closer to fruition.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Caltrans
City of Fort Worth
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie