On February 9, 2006 at 2PM at Bossier EOC (1511 Doctors Drive) the Caddo-Bossier Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness will be issuing a reimbursement check to Pelican Haven and Christ Temple Ministries for the cost that they have incurred while providing shelter to hundreds of survivors of Hurricane Katrina and Rita.  

The Caddo-Bossier Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness filed the claim for FEMA reimbursement for Pelican Haven and Christ Temple Ministries (within the guidelines of the revised Public Assistance program).  In addition to Pelican Haven and Christ Temple Holiness Church, Caddo-Bossier OHSEP has also filed claims for over 50 additional agencies in the amount of $1.3 million.  Funds are being received by our office on a regular basis for the other agencies. 

Pelican Haven and Christ Temple Ministries shelters, both managed by local ministers and their congregations, have been sheltering evacuees from the onset of the Katrina & Rita disasters.  The costs associated with sheltering had all but depleted the budgets of both organizations. Reimbursement checks from FEMA will allow the organizations to continue their normal ministries at pre-disaster levels. 

It should be noted that Caddo-Bossier Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness is the first agency in the State of Louisiana to receive funds for non-profit and faith-based organizations. 

Caddo-Bossier Homeland Security invited local business, city/parish/federal officials and others with a vested interest in the two shelters.