Episcopal Relief and Development (ERD) is committed to helping rebuild the damaged infrastructure of communities in the Gulf Coast of Mississippi and Louisiana.  While the damage continues to be overwhelming, ERD and its partners, Lutheran Episcopal Services in Mississippi (LESM) and the Office of Disaster Response in the Diocese of Louisiana (ODR), are working to establish strong relationships with local credit unions, housing contractors and county and parish developers to ensure that the affected populations have opportunities to rebuild their homes and businesses.  ERD is currently financing an affordable housing initiative in New Orleans which will build up to 800 homes for low-income residents.  ERD is also working with local Mississippi Gulf Coast residents and businesses to repair damaged houses, to rebuild those that have been flattened, and to provide space for small business revitalization.