New Orleans: Victory for Public Housing Residents & Activists

A small but significant victory for the people of New Orleans, who continue to fight against the systematic gentrification of their homes and neighborhoods.

In addition to reopening public housing, HR 1227 would improve federal oversight of the Louisiana Recovery Authority (LRA) and would relax restrictions on federal funding for the LRA’s Road Home program, which provides compensation to homeowners.

Wednesday, March 21, New Orleans—In a victory for low-income residents of New Orleans, the US House of Representatives passed HR 1227, the Gulf Coast Hurricane Housing Recovery Act of 2007 by an overwhelming bipartisan vote, 302-125. The bill, co-sponsored by Representatives Maxine Waters (CA-D) and Barney Frank (MA-D), ensures that public housing residents displaced by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita will be able to return to affordable housing. To become law, the bill must pass the Senate and escape Presidential veto.

Representative Waters cast the bill as an issue of fairness. “Every person who desires to live in the Gulf region must be given an opportunity to rebuild and to return home,” she said.

As passed in the House, HR 1227 orders the reopening of 3,000 public housing units in New Orleans by August and mandates one-to-one replacement of all public housing demolished by the housing authority, for a total of 7,100 units. The bill also provides relocation assistance for residents moving back to affected areas. Perhaps most importantly, the bill guarantees the involvement of public housing residents in every step of the process.

At a meeting of Survivors Village, an association of displaced public housing residents, participants were euphoric. “I think it’s excellent,...

Posted by ShiftShapers
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