HUD Poised to Tear Down New Orleans Public Housing Developments

[babylonsister]

On Democracy Now! today:
http://www.democracynow.org/2007/12/12/hud_poised_to_tear_down_new

HUD Poised to Tear Down New Orleans Public Housing Developments

The Department of Housing and Urban Development is poised to demolish some of the largest public housing developments in New Orleans on Saturday. The demolition plans have met with strong resistance from local communities. We speak with Bill Quigley, an attorney leading the legal fight for public housing in New Orleans as well as Alvin Franklin, a former public housing resident in New Orleans who has been homeless since Hurricane Katrina.

Only 744 affordable housing units will replace the 4,600 units. That"s an 82 percent drop in a region where affordable housing remains a key issue.

New Orleans has an estimated 12,000 homeless people since Katrina, some 50,000 people remain in FEMA trailers, and over 900,000 homeowners from Louisiana are still awaiting federal money to rebuild their homes.

The plans to demolish the four public housing complexes have met with strong resistance from local communities. Dozens of groups have joined together to form a Coalition to Stop the Demolition.

On Monday they cheered as the City"s Housing Conservation Committee refused to approve the demolition of the Lafitte development, one of the 4 developments slated for demolition. But as of Tuesday evening public housing advocates were dismayed to find workmen contracted by the Housing Authority of New Orleans dismantling protective screens on the doors and windows at the Lafitte development.

Alvin Franklin used to live in the Lafitte development before Hurricane Katrina and is now homeless. Bill Quigley is an attorney leading the legal fight for public housing in New Orleans. He teaches at Loyola University.

Bill Quigley, an attorney leading the legal fight for public housing in New Orleans. He teaches at Loyola University.

Alvin Franklin, former public housing resident in New Orleans. He has been homeless since Hurricane Katrina.

[zippy890]

1. 4,600 low-income families, disabled and elderly - where are they now?

If I was down there I'd stand in front of the bulldozers.

[Javaman]

2. The devolpers are getting tired of waiting. nt

[countryjake]

3. the manmade disaster continues...

sounds like the demolition has begun.

[HuffleClaw]

4. "Only 744 affordable housing units will replace the 4,600 units"

what a horror. yet one more bush crime the media conveniently ignores

[EFerrari]

5. This was a good report. The people aren't backing down.

This segment can be streamed at Amy's website: www.democracynow.org

[readmoreoften]

6. DIsaster capitalism. Coming soon to a neighborhood near you. /nt

[Swamp Rat]

7. k&r

:grr:

[annm4peace]

9. what can we do

Swamp Rat. Are you down there in N.O.? I'm tryign to find some websites I get info from.
I did copy parts of the report on Democracy Now, and pasted them on my Rep's, keith ellison's email.

During this time of Advent, they are campaigning and voting on bills about Christmas, when the should be working to help their brothers and sisters.

[KoKo]

8. YEAH...Disgusting POS Criminal Repugs doing what they do BEST

Tear Down.......and PRIVATIZE! Get rid of the Low Income Folks and RE-BUILD a CORPORATE DISNEYLAND!

NEW ORLEANS THEME PARK...Complete with MUSEUM for "MEDIA RETROSPECTIVES of "LIFE IN THE ASTRODOME" .."HOW DID FOLKS SURVIVE?" and if FOLKS DIDN'T...how about PIX of FLOATING BODIES!

I won't go further into the gory details of WHORE NO'S WORLD DISNEY could be about in today's GRUESOME/PANDERING/GROSS DEBASEMENT OF SOCIETY...could become in a THEME PARK. It would put DC's HOLOCAUST MUSEUM...to SHAME! BUT...this time it's America's OLDEST HISTORIC CITY ...instead of NAZI GERMANY! :-(

[intheflow]

10. K&R