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GUESTS: Chris Kromm, Executive director of the Institute for Southern Studies, and founder of Gulf Coast Reconstruction Watch, Vanita Rogers, Member of the New Orleans Survivors Council from the Lower 9th Ward

Yesterday was the deadline for survivors of Hurricane Katrina to apply for state funds for homeowners. Louisiana’s Road Home grant program was designed to compensate homeowners for damages not covered by insurance policies. The total number of people seeking grants is expected to top at around 175,000. For many Louisiana residents, the grants are a last hope to save their homes. But the Road Home program is problematic. So far grants have been awarded to fewer than a quarter of all applicants. Additionally, the 6.4 billion dollars in federal money alloted to the program could fall severely short of what’s needed to fulfill the grants. As much as $11 billion extra could be needed. State officials hope to get more for the program in an Iraq war spending bill expected to come before Congress in September or October. Many members of Congress have expressed support for the extra allocation but the White House has been less committal. Donald Powell, President Bush’s Gulf Coast recovery chief, hasn’t yet indicated whether the White House would back more aid.