About 14,000 homeowners still working their way through the Road Home Program have some new deadlines to meet.

But some people say the new policy will block funding for residents who need it most.

Ron Kennedy, a Lakeview resident, agrees. He received his Road Home funding in about a year and had minor problems with the process, but cringes for thousands of homeowners who are faced with two upcoming deadlines that, if not met, could mean they will lose their opportunity to rebuild.

"I don't believe they should set it just yet," said Kennedy. "The Road Home did go through a lot of hurdles, there was a learning curve early on and they changed the rules several times."

By September 5, homeowners are required to turn in all documentation or they lose eligibility for the federally funded grant. By October 1st, all title, mortgage and power of attorney issues also have to be resolved.

Attorney Davida Finger is lobbying for the deadlines to be dropped, saying low income residents who need the funding most are the ones who will suffer the repercussions.

The federal dollars were sent to people of this state to help with their rebuilding, and that is money that is theirs," said Finger. "People should not have to fight tooth and nail the way they are just to get access to their own rebuilding funds."

The Louisiana Recovery Authority estimates about 14,000 homeowners are impacted by the deadlines. An LRA spokesperson says the deadlines are in place to push people to move forward and make progress.

Paul Rainwater, executive director for the LRA, said there would be some flexibility if people can prove they are making that effort and are eligible for the funding.

Still, Finger believes the deadlines will do more harm than help. She has sent two letters to the LRA and to Gov. Bobby Jindal asking them to drop the deadlines.

She says the biggest obstacles facing residents two years after the program started are the flaws that exist within the program.

"Program rules have changed time and time again, as rules change they aren't made public," she said.

"So people are left scrambling going in one direction for months and as rules change it takes months to figure it out and even more to get back on right course. These are people among the most vulnerable in our community who need money to rebuild and it doesn't make sense to cut them out now," said Finger.

LRA says they will stand firm on the deadlines and continue to offer a series of community outreach meetings to help residents navigate their way through the new deadlines and answer questions.