By Rita Shirley LeBleu

Cameron Parish residents could get help in offsetting homeowner’s or flood insurance costs. Louisiana House Bill 150 (HB 150), authored and sponsored by Representative Ryan Bourriaque received overwhelming support from Legislature, with only one vote cast against it by Rep. Marcus Bryant, New Iberia. Governor Jeff Landry signed off in May.

Cameron Parish Police Jury President Michael Fewell describes HB150 as a symbol of “renewed hope” and “an open door to innovative solutions that directly benefit our residents.”

“For more than 20 years, the residents of Cameron Parish have shared the same concern with their local leaders: the continual rise in home insurance premiums,” Fewell said. “Families have worked hard to rebuild, invest in their homes and strengthen our communities while facing the burden of increasing costs.”

Bourriaque said in an email to the Cameron Pilot that FEMA Risk 2.0 exacerbated premium issues even in X zones that are not subject to flooding. New building codes to build back stronger have also increased the cost of home ownership in Cameron Parish. Sustaining communities has been difficult.

Fewell noted that there is still much work that remains to make this initiative a reality, careful planning, drafting the program, identifying funding sources and ensuring long-term sustainability.

“This legislation represents an important first step,” Fewell said. “If this effort helps even one family remain in their home, makes home ownership more affordable for future generations, or creates new opportunities for our parish, then it will have been a worthwhile endeavor.”

Currently, any funds available to the program will be non-tax related. Donations in grants or aid from private entities would be an example of seed funding for the program, according to Bourriaque. If funds are available, the new bill, now law, could be a stopgap to assist with issues today. Legislators of coastal communities are watching with interest.