Nola Bound

PLAN YOUR MOVE

LIVING ACCOMODATIONS
Make final decisions around the type of living arrangements you will have when you return.
If you are a homeowner:

  1. Does your residence need to be rebuilt or repaired?
  2. If so, have you completed and followed up on your applications for Insurance, FEMA, and the Road Home Program?
  3. Have you found and hired a contractor to complete your repairs or rebuilding work? 
  4. Do you have a place to stay until your residence is livable?
  5. If you are going to temporarily stay in a FEMA trailer on your property, make sure the trailer will be ready for your arrival date.

If you will be renting:

  1. Identify and secure a location by signing a lease and  paying a deposit.

If you utilize HUD or Housing Authority assistance programs (Section 8, Housing Voucher, or Public Housing):

  1. Call to see what assistance they have available.
  2. Make sure you have completed all necessary steps to securing a residence.

If you are going to be staying with a friend or relative:

  1. Talk to them about the time you plan to stay with them.
  2. Make sure there is a mutual understanding of timeframe, shared responsibilities, and bills.

Decide which utility services you will need and make sure they are available in the area you plan to live.

  1. Determine if there are deposits and connections fees and any outstanding balances, then budget accordingly.

Electricity
Gas
Water
Phone
Cable
Trash
Determine how you and your family will make the journey home.

  1. Do you need to reserve a moving truck or van? 

Do they need a deposit?
What form of payment do they accept? Will they need a credit card?
Can you return the truck or trailer in the Greater New Orleans Area?
Will you drive yourself or pay someone to do so for you?
If you are driving the moving van, do you have a personal vehicle that will need to make the journey?  How will this be accomplished?
Map out the route you plan to take if you are driving back to the Greater New Orleans Area.

    1. Will you need a plane, train, or bus ticket home for yourself or your family? 

What possessions will you be able to carry with you?
Will you need to ship any other belongings?

    1. If you have children and/or pets, determine how they will be traveling home and plan for their transportation.

Purchase and collect moving supplies such as boxes, tape, scissors, blankets, bubble wrap or tissue, markers, and box labels.
Complete a change of address form with the post office.

EMPLOYMENT AND INCOME
Determine if your current employment has an opportunity for you to transfer back to the Greater New Orleans Area.
If you cannot transfer with your current employer or if you are currently unemployed, determine the necessary action steps you will need to perform in order to obtain employment. 
If you use public transportation, determine the routing and scheduling to make sure it is accessible from your home and that it will be able to connect you to your place of employment.
If you receive Social Security Income, make sure they have your new address and the date you are moving.

HOUSEHOLD AFFAIRS
Keep all of your moving information together in a large envelope or folder where it is easy to find and won’t get lost.
Determine whether or not you will need to move or transfer any bank accounts (i.e. checking, savings).

  1. Do you need to establish new accounts at a new bank?
  2. Will you need to stop or start any automatic deposits or withdrawals from your current account?
  3. Find out how long it will take to transfer your banking accounts to ensure access to your funds on moving day and when you return.
  4. If needed, order checks with new home address.

Gather all health-related information (such as prescriptions, medical records, immunization record, x-rays, etc.) from doctors you have seen while living away from home.

  1. Make a list of the doctors you have seen, their contact information, and what they were treating you for.
  2. Make a list of all medications you have currently, or recently, taken and what you are taking them for.
  3. If you have children, get a copy of immunizations they have received and which, if any, they require.

Notify employers, healthcare providers, insurance companies, creditors, magazines and newspapers, post office and any others of upcoming move and change of address.
Organize and store all important documents in on place so they are not displaced in the move.

  1. Personal identification information (photo ID, social security card)
  2. School records
  3. Tax records (vehicle, property, or income tax documentation)
  4. Real estate records,
  5. Disaster assistance information
  6. Any other legal documents

SCHOOLS & CHILDCARE
Make sure you have identified where you plan to enroll your children in school and/or childcare in the Greater New Orleans Area. Make sure they have a spot available for your child to begin in the timeframe you are planning to return.
Provide any information requested and complete paperwork as required by the school and/or childcare facility to ensure a place is held for your children.
If your employment makes it necessary for your children to attend an after school program or child care, locate a program and take necessary steps to enroll them.
Notify school and/or childcare facility where children are currently enrolled of your plans to return to the Greater New Orleans Area and the last day the children will be attending at their location.
Plan for how your children will be transported to and from school and childcare once you are in the Greater New Orleans Area.

PERSONAL SUPPORT
Make a list of friends and family living in the Greater New Orleans Area.
Identify community resources such as recreation centers and churches that are in your area and can lend support.
If you utilize food stamps or other forms of public assistance, contact the appropriate offices to let them know of your plans to return home. If allowed, turn in program applications before returning.

Moving Timeline:  Two Weeks Prior to Returning Home

LIVING ACCOMODATIONS
Follow up on your housing arrangement in the Greater New Orleans Area to make sure there are not any unexpected things that need to be taken care of and to ensure it will be ready for your arrival date.
Order disconnection or cancellation at current residence for all utilities and services.

  1. Electricity
  2. Gas
  3. Water
  4. Phone service
  5. Cable
  6. Trash Collection

Follow up to ensure all utilities and other needed services in destination residence will be connected and turned on in time for your arrival.
Begin packing belongings starting with items used least often. Label each box indicating contents and room.
If you are renting at your present location, ensure that you understand how to request or obtain any refunding of damage deposits. 

EMPLOYMENT & INCOME
Contact your employer in the New Orleans area to let them know the exact date of your return to the area and a definite date you are available to begin work.

HOUSEHOLD AFFAIRS
Finish handling any banking or financial transactions that need to be cleared prior to your moving back to the New Orleans area.
Cancel or transfer any newspaper subscriptions.

SCHOOLS & CHILDCARE
Pick up records from school where children are currently enrolled.
Contact the school where you have enrolled your child in the New Orleans area.

  1. Verify school start date.
  2. Verify school uniforms and supplies needed for children and make plans to have those items ready for when children will begin school in the New Orleans area.

PERSONAL SUPPORT
Contact family, friends, or neighbors who have already returned to the Greater New Orleans Area.
Decide what organizations you are interested in joining when you return.

  1. Which faith based community do you belong to or want to join?
  2. Would you like to join the neighborhood association?
  3. Is there a health facility such as the YMCA you want to go to?
  4. Are there any other organizations or clubs you would like to join?

Moving Timeline:  One Week Prior to Returning Home

LIVING ACCOMODATIONS
Confirm arrangements for transportation and moving truck or trailer.
If necessary, confirm living accommodation in the New Orleans area again. Take care of any last minute details that need to be handled.
Verify the dates your utilities will be connected or what you will need to do upon return to get them connected as quickly as possible.
Disassemble furniture and other items and continue packing.

EMPLOYMENT & INCOME
Check in again with your employer in the Greater New Orleans Area.

HOUSEHOLD AFFAIRS
Use items that can not be easily moved such as perishable foods.
Fill any prescriptions you will need for the next two of weeks.

SCHOOLS & CHILDCARE
Talk to your children about returning to the Greater New Orleans Area. Explain that the city is still being rebuilt and things are not like they used to be before the storm. They may not be able to attend school where they used to go, some friends and relatives still have not or will not be returning to the area. However, emphasize it is still your city and by your return, you’re an important part of helping New Orleans become what it once was. Give your children support and allow them to express any concerns or fears they have regarding moving back to the Greater New Orleans Area.

PERSONAL SUPPORT
Inform friends and relatives of your new address and the exact date you are planning to return.

Moving Timeline:  1-2 Days Prior to Returning Home

LIVING ACCOMODATIONS
Check in again with where you are planning to live. Take care of last minute arrangements such as how you will get the keys for your new residence.
Clean and defrost freezer and refrigerator at current residence.
Complete packing, be sure to pack a designated travel bag with items you will need to be able to access easily during the move.
Pick up and load the moving truck.
Finalize any transportation or other arrangements as needed for other family members, children, and pets.
Ensure present landlord has forwarding information to send damage deposit refunds.
HOUSEHOLD AFFAIRS
Get cash or travelers checks for the move.
Buy necessary supplies or food if driving a long distance.
Finalize any last minute or outstanding financial transactions.
Completely charge your cell phone.

PERSONAL SUPPORT
Give a close friend or relative your travel route and schedule.
Get plenty of rest in preparation for moving day.
Say goodbye to friends and others who you have gotten to know while you were living away.

Transition Timeline: MOVING DAY

 

LIVING ACCOMODATIONS
Clean and double check residence to ensure nothing is left behind.
Check thermostat to ensure temperature is appropriately set.
Make sure all windows and doors are closed and locked and all appliances are turned off.
Leave forwarding address and keys for new occupants.

Transition Timeline: As You are Getting Settled

LIVING ACCOMODATIONS
Walk through your new home and make sure everything is in order as expected. Take care of any issues that you find. If renting, make sure to complete damage sheet observations.
Unpack and organize in your new home.

EMPLOYMENT & INCOME
Find your employment location and determine the timing and route to work.

HOUSEHOLD AFFAIRS
Open new checking or savings accounts if necessary.
Orient yourself to school location, medical care, grocery stores, pharmacies, and other stores and services you will need to be able to easily find and access.
Register to vote.

SCHOOLS & CHILDCARE
Visit the location your children are enrolled in school and/or childcare.

  1. Determine timing and route.
  2. Make sure things are in order for your children to begin.

PERSONAL SUPPORT
Join your neighborhood association and familiarize yourself with what is going on in your area in and in the recovery efforts.
If you need any form of assistance and were not able to apply before your return home, visit the necessary locations and submit your applications.

Congratulations—you made it!
Take a deep breath and relax…

As with any move, the weeks ahead are likely to be stressful. Be patient. Don’t try to make things perfect all at once. Remember that change is hard on everyone—adults, children, friends and even pets—let members of your family make their own adjustments and understand this may take several weeks, or even several months. 

If you start to feel stressed, or if you sense your children are experiencing stress, you may want to consider calling Louisiana Spirit at 1-800-273-TALK (8255). they offer crisis counseling to families in transition.

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