12/23/2007
from the Kennebec Journal
BUDGET CUTS ORDERED
Many happy returns in Richmond
Tax woes land on Whitefield
Rapist denied new trial
AUGUSTA MINDING A MINE
SPORT OF KINGS Falconry a blend of dedication and commitment
COLLEGE HOCKEY: Maine rallies but falls short against Boston College
COLLEGE ROUNDUP: Colby women win season opener at home tournament
All of today's:
News | Sports
from the Kennebec Journal
from the Morning Sentinel
WEDDING BURGLAR JAILED
Youths talk Turkey Day
Plenty of free Thanksgiving meals available
Turkey prices make for happier holiday
Kennebec County Superior Court
POLICE
COLLEGE HOCKEY: Maine rallies but falls short against Boston College
COLLEGE ROUNDUP: Colby women win season opener at home tournament
All of today's:
News | Sports
from the Morning Sentinel
This action came during a nationwide week of protest to support New Orleans public housing residents' efforts to save their homes.
I spent 15 months doing post-Katrina relief work and witnessed the current housing crisis in New Orleans. Some figures estimate that 12,000-15,000 people in the city are homeless, 200,000 residents are still displaced, and the lack of affordable housing has caused rent to increase 40-70 percent.
HUD claims the agency is redeveloping the units by "replacing them," "not removing them."
But there will be a loss of 3,600 units available to low-income people in the proposed "mixed income housing" redevelopment.
The housing projects slated for demolition received minimal storm damage and many units did not flood. Over $760 million will be spent on the demolition contracts. This government decision is not only insensitive to New Orleanians still struggling to return home, but also not responsive to the city's immediate housing needs. Fixing these units would cost taxpayers just a fraction of these corporate contracts.
Livable units should be rebuilt so families can move home and participate in the New Orleans' reconstruction efforts.
HUD's decision does not address the grave housing crisis in New Orleans and violates residents right to return.
Shame on Secretary Jackson!
Emily Posner
Montville
poscreek@gmail.com
Reader comments
Sort by: Oldest first | Newest First
Seems to me, that is their right as they are the duly elected representatives of the people of NO.
Right?
Not to worry, the welfare cases and freeloaders will get their free housing and when they do, it will be brand spanking new. Wonder how long it will be until it's trashed?report abuse
What's going on down there in New Orleans? Too much "law and order"? What's going on at HUD on the federal level?
Is there bigotry against the poor? Are most of the poor in New Orleans black? Does HUD actually think that the homeless are expendable? Its recent action suggests that.
People aren't buildings or properties. People build buildings for people. Buildings aren't built just to stand vacant. Vacant buildings, that need minor repairs yet get leveled, can be compared to poor people being chased out their skin by government corruption...
With a little organization and some governmental/private charitable support, the disenfranchised from New Orleans should be able to return to New Orleans and live Life like before, maybe even in time for the new city council race.
Maybe New Orleans City Council needs new faces. New councilors who can be more socially responsible to the democratic meaning of the term "we the people". HUD may listen better in the future with change like that.report abuse
It'll be interesting to see how this progresses, razing low-income housing to make it "mixed income" when most of the units need only minor repairs. It seems like a significant waste of money, but then again, isn't that what OUR government does best?report abuse
Show all 7 comments
You must be a registered user of MaineToday.com to post a comment. Register or log in.