FEMA to reduce temporary housing rent in Louisiana to $50

BATON ROUGE, La. – The Federal Emergency Management Agency has agreed to reduce rent for Louisiana flood victims still living in temporary trailers.

The Advocate of Baton Rouge reports Gov. John Bel Edwards announced Wednesday rent will be reduced to $50 from March 1 through May 14, when the program is set to end for victims from the state’s 2016 floods.

FEMA was going to charge rents ranging from $789 to $1,155 a month starting next month, but changed planned rates after getting complaints from state and local officials including Edwards and East Baton Rouge Parish Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome that victims wouldn’t be able to afford rent.

Edwards says the state will pursue housing extensions if residents need to remain in the temporary homes past the May deadline.

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Information from: The Advocate, http://theadvocate.com