Under the leadership of the founding executive director, Andy Kopplin, the authority's mission was to plan for Louisiana's future, coordinate across jurisdictions, support community recovery and resurgence, and ensure integrity and effectiveness.
By working in collaboration with local, state and federal agencies, the authority's goal was to also address short-term recovery needs while guiding the long-term planning process.
It was modeled on the Lower Manhattan Development Corporation, which guided recovery and redevelopment in New York after 9/11.
Hurricanes Katrina and Rita devastated South Louisiana, destroying more than 200,000 homes and 18,000 businesses and causing about $25 billion in insured losses.
The LRA's largest program dedicated $7.5 billion to helping residents of Louisiana affected by Hurricane Katrina or Rita get back into their homes as quickly and fairly as possible.