The following information was developed for FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Grant Program (HMGP) which aims to assist citizens with mitigating their structures damaged as a result of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. While this information is geared toward those receiving HMGP grant funding, this guidance can also be useful for all property owners who are faced with rebuilding or restoring a structure that has historical value.

Generally a structure or site gains the potential to become a historic/archaeological resource upon its fiftieth birthday; however, this is only the initial requirement. Other questions must be taken into consideration-is my property associated with historic events or persons (national or local); does my property have distinctive design or physical characteristics; could my property potentially provide important information about prehistory or history? If the answer to these questions is yes (or even maybe) you might want to consider taking measures to preserve your structure.

FEMA’s Hazard Mitigation Grant Program is committed to preserving and enhancing Louisiana’s rich cultural resources and, in turn, the quality of life for citizens. While rebuilding safer and stronger is an important process for preventing future damages from natural disasters, cultural and historic resources aren’t always safeguarded or preserved in the process. However, it is possible to have a mitigation plan that still maintains the historic integrity of your property. The information in the following documents provide historic property owners with the appropriate resources needed to preserve, renovate, restore, and rebuild without losing integral and significant characteristics that make these properties valuable resources.