Since the Katrina disaster, more than 3000 residents of public housing have been displaced around the nation. As I witnessed during a trip to New Orleans two weeks ago, many have been sleeping in tents across the street from City Hall. With FEMA closing more trailer parks by the week, the number of homeless New Orleaneans is skyrocketing. Instead of scrambling to find shelter for these people, New Orleans City Council voted yesterday to take away their homes permanently. In a move supported by Mayor Ray Nagin, the council voted to tear down the city’s 4 largest housing projects.

Similar to Chicago’s destruction of Cabrini Green, the decision will clear the way for the construction of “mixed” (economically, racially, etc.) developments. Although the logic of the move is to reduce crime and violence by eliminating high concentrations of poor and unemployed  families, history has demonstrated that economic and racial diversity has not been the final outcome. Rather, large numbers of poor families are displaced from their homes and systematically denied access to comparable housing. At the same time, high income families are encouraged to purchase newly built luxury homes in the immediate vicinity. For example, in Chicago, fewer than 20% of the reconstructed Cabrini Green is reserved for former residents.

In New Orleans, the outcome could be even more unfavorable for the city’s most vulnerable citizens. Based on yesterday’s meeting, fewer than 28% of the newly built units will house former residents. With the city’s average rent price increasing by 45%, few will be able to live in the city at all.

Somehow, this doesn’t feel like a coincidence.

What can we do?

• Call your Representative/Senator urging them to support the passage of SB 1668- the New Orleans Housing Recovery Act, currently awaiting a vote in the Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee. There is a list of phone numbers here: www.katrinaaction.org/node/293
• Contact the following New Orleans state officials:
  Council Members
  Arnie Fielkow (President)
  City Hall, Room 2W40
  1300 Perdido Street
  New Orleans, LA 70112

  Phone: (504) 658-1060
  Fax: (504) 658-1068
  Email:AFielkow@cityofno.com

  Jacquelyn Brechtel Clarkson (Vice President)
  City Hall, Room 2W50
  1300 Perdido Street
  New Orleans, LA 70112

  Phone: (504) 658-1070
  Fax: (504) 658-1077
  jbclarkson@cityofno.com

  Shelley Midura District A
  City Hall, Room 2W80
  1300 Perdido Street
  New Orleans, LA 70112

  Phone: (504) 658-1010
  Fax: (504) 658-1016
  Email:SMidura@cityofno.com

  Stacy S. Head District B
  City Hall, Room 2W10
  1300 Perdido Street
  New Orleans, LA 70112

  Phone: (504) 658 -1020
  Fax: (504) 658-1025
  Email:SHead@cityofno.com

  James Carter District C
  City Hall, Room 2W70
  1300 Perdido Street
  New Orleans, LA 70112

  Phone: (504) 658-1030
  Fax: (504) 658-1037
  Email: JCarter@cityofno.com

  Cynthia Hedge-Morrell District D
  City Hall, Room 2W20
  1300 Perdido Street
  New Orleans, Louisiana 70112

  Phone: (504) 658-1040
  Fax: (504) 658-1048
  CHMorrell@cityofno.com

  Cynthia Willard-Lewis District E
  City Hall, Room 2W60
  1300 Perdido Street
  New Orleans, LA 70112

  Phone: (504) 658-1050
  Fax: (504) 658-1058
  CWLewis@cityofno.com

  Mayor Ray Nagin
  New Orleans City Hall
  1300 Perdido Street
  New Orleans, LA 70112

  City Hall Operator: (504) 658-4000

• Go down to New Orleans and stand with the residents and their supporters!