Recovery grants forecast retracted

Oh, well, yeah. We DID expect something like this -- but so soon?

Recovery grants forecast retracted
ICF official backs off 500-a-day estimate
Thursday, January 11, 2007
By David Hammer

The much-maligned administrator of Louisiana's Road Home program is backing off a statement last month that it would hand out 500 grants a day to homeowners by the end of January.

In the 25 days since Road Home administrator Michael Byrne assured angry Louisiana Recovery Authority board members of the impending flow of housing aid, the program has averaged fewer than three closings a day.

ICF International, the company with a $756 million state contract to handle federal money -- including $7.5 billion in grants for homeowners -- came under fire late last year for errors and slowdowns. State legislators recommended firing the company.