I've posted most of them on my Flickr site. Check them out at:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/anamariasegura/sets/72157600005439929/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/anamariasegura/sets/72157600005439929/
See you all at school!
Sunday, March 18, 2007
Fordham SHN Pictures on Flickr
Hello everyone, and welcome home! I had a great time this Spring Break and hope you all did too. Here is one of the pictures from our trip:
Friday, March 16, 2007
The Fourth Amendment Project at the Louisiana Capital Assistance Center
Greetings From the Louisiana Capital Assistance Center ("LCAC")! Today we finished up our fifth and final day of work at the LCAC in
New Orleans. Our crew consisted of Fordham students Anamaria, Phil, Jeremy and Deana, as well as two students from George Mason, Andrea and Stefan. Our project has been loosely named the "Fourth Amendment Project." In the words of our supervising attorney on the project Richard Burke, the Fourth Amendment has gone out the window in New Orleans post-Katrina. Not that it meant all that much beforehand, but with the rising rates of violent incidents after the storms, police misconduct seems to have increased to levels above what already existed.
To give some background, every month there are roughly 1,100 arrests in this city. After each arrest, a suspect is given a bond hearing and is detained for up to sixty days if they can't pay. The costs of each arrest are substantial. For taxpayers, the costs are obvious -- something on the order of $23 per day per prisoner. But the real costs are paid by the people picked up in the dragnet. On our first day we were told the story of a wheelchair-bound client who required catheters to use the bathroom, and needed to change them multiple times a day. He was picked up for assault (figure that out?!) and dropped into Orleans Parish Prison ("OPP"), where he couldn't get the medical attention he needed. Eventually he developed a serious urinary tract infection, aggravated by the amount of time he was neglected in the system.
The postscript to that story is not unfamiliar: he was never charged and ultimately was released after suffering pain and humiliation to the benefit of no-one but the sheriff's office. It's a pattern that marks the NOPD's response to the rising crime rate throughout the city: target minor crimes, mostly petty drug possession, to get at the major offenders. Many of the arrests were improper in the first place, and 65% of the cases are never prosecuted. Aside from being an apalling waste of resources, the result is program that overwhelmingly sweeps up young African-American men in the poorest neighborhoods in the city, processing them through a system that produces more offending behavior than it reduces.
The Fourth Amendment Project was really designed to illuminate the costs of this approach by showing how NOPD officers disregard the Fourth Amendment when they arrest people for these minor offenses, and ho
w magistrates reviewing those arrests have abdicated their duty to ensure probable cause existed for the arrests in the first place. Preliminary indications made the attorneys down here at LCAC suspect that some percentage of these arrests were unsupported by probable cause and were not caught by the magistrates, unecessarily increasing the human costs of processing people through the system. Right now in the beginning stages, the project is something of a triage exercise. We have looked through all the arrest reports made available to us for January 2007 to gauge the sufficiency of the arresting officers' affidavits. We've found some pretty obvious deficiencies and, without spoiling the surprise, can pretty safely say that the results have been unsettling so far. Hopefully, the data will prod the NOPD and the Orleans Parish magistrates into changing the way things work down here to the benefit of the entire community -- rich or poor, black or white.
New Orleans. Our crew consisted of Fordham students Anamaria, Phil, Jeremy and Deana, as well as two students from George Mason, Andrea and Stefan. Our project has been loosely named the "Fourth Amendment Project." In the words of our supervising attorney on the project Richard Burke, the Fourth Amendment has gone out the window in New Orleans post-Katrina. Not that it meant all that much beforehand, but with the rising rates of violent incidents after the storms, police misconduct seems to have increased to levels above what already existed.To give some background, every month there are roughly 1,100 arrests in this city. After each arrest, a suspect is given a bond hearing and is detained for up to sixty days if they can't pay. The costs of each arrest are substantial. For taxpayers, the costs are obvious -- something on the order of $23 per day per prisoner. But the real costs are paid by the people picked up in the dragnet. On our first day we were told the story of a wheelchair-bound client who required catheters to use the bathroom, and needed to change them multiple times a day. He was picked up for assault (figure that out?!) and dropped into Orleans Parish Prison ("OPP"), where he couldn't get the medical attention he needed. Eventually he developed a serious urinary tract infection, aggravated by the amount of time he was neglected in the system.
The postscript to that story is not unfamiliar: he was never charged and ultimately was released after suffering pain and humiliation to the benefit of no-one but the sheriff's office. It's a pattern that marks the NOPD's response to the rising crime rate throughout the city: target minor crimes, mostly petty drug possession, to get at the major offenders. Many of the arrests were improper in the first place, and 65% of the cases are never prosecuted. Aside from being an apalling waste of resources, the result is program that overwhelmingly sweeps up young African-American men in the poorest neighborhoods in the city, processing them through a system that produces more offending behavior than it reduces.
The Fourth Amendment Project was really designed to illuminate the costs of this approach by showing how NOPD officers disregard the Fourth Amendment when they arrest people for these minor offenses, and ho
w magistrates reviewing those arrests have abdicated their duty to ensure probable cause existed for the arrests in the first place. Preliminary indications made the attorneys down here at LCAC suspect that some percentage of these arrests were unsupported by probable cause and were not caught by the magistrates, unecessarily increasing the human costs of processing people through the system. Right now in the beginning stages, the project is something of a triage exercise. We have looked through all the arrest reports made available to us for January 2007 to gauge the sufficiency of the arresting officers' affidavits. We've found some pretty obvious deficiencies and, without spoiling the surprise, can pretty safely say that the results have been unsettling so far. Hopefully, the data will prod the NOPD and the Orleans Parish magistrates into changing the way things work down here to the benefit of the entire community -- rich or poor, black or white.As an endnote, we all feel really lucky to have had the opportunity to get involved in this project and extend the most sincere expressions of thanks and gratitude to the LCAC attorneys both for taking up such a worthy cause, and for letting us participate in it.
--Fordham SHN LCAC Contingent
Look Out Corner Bistro...
Hello from New Orleans! As it turns out it's been difficult to find time to blog while we've been out here, but there will be posts coming very soon! I thought I'd kick off the blogging by celebrating a couple of my favorite food picks from this (and other) trips:
Pick #1: The cheeseburger (medium-rare) from Port of Call, on Esplanade and Dauphine. Served along with the first baked potato I've ever loved, here it is in all its splendor:
I think what really makes it is the mountain of grated cheddar cheese. Also, in case you're curious, the drink on the right is a "Red Turtle," which I see fit to point out because of the recent success of my very own Maryland Terrapins -- GO TERPS! Others were big fans of the "Neptune's Monsoon," Port of Call's version of the Hurricane. If you find yourself in New Orleans, by all means try some Jambalaya, Gumbo and all of those local favorites, but this burger is a must. Sorry to the vegetarians out there!Pick #2: The fried chicken and jambalaya at Coop's, on Decatur. I've been there an embarassing number of times over the past 4 trips here, but I can't help it - it's so good! The first night here Phil and I dragged Joe Cruz over to enjoy Abitas and our favorite meal, and I think we have a convert. The jambalaya has rabbit and andouille sausage. If you go to Coop's, be sure to look for PickaPeppa sauce to go with your meal (it's not always on the table). I've been known to have it shipped to my apartment (from Jamaica) because I can't seem to find it anywhere in New York. See below:
Pick #3: This is perhaps the most obvious, but a trip here is not complete without beignets from Cafe DuMonde. They pretty much speak for themselves:
And it's open 24 hours. Glorious!Stay tuned for more updates from the Fordham SHN crew...
Sunday, March 11, 2007
Back to NOLA!
Once again Fordham SHN returns to the Gulf Coast with the full force of 17 students and one PIRC Administrator for Spring Break. This is Fordham SHN's 4th trip to the region since December 2005. The group will be in New Orleans from Sunday March 11th until Saturday March 17th. The students will be working with the Louisiana Capital Assistance Center, the Gert Town Revival Initiative and the Road Home Heirship Affidavit Project (more info about the organizations and projects detailed below). Students will be updating our Blog throughout Spring Break. Visit us again as the week progresses to read about their experiences and accomplishments in New Orleans.
Projects for the Week:
Louisiana Capital Assistance Center:
The Louisiana Capital Assistance Center (LCAC) is a non-profit capital trial organization deeply committed to providing quality legal representation to people facing the death penalty in Louisiana. The LCAC emphasizes client-centered representation, constantly seeks to develop new and innovative advocacy strategies, and also pursues systematic litigation related to issues involving racism in the criminal justice system and lack of funding for adequate representation.
The Fordham students will be reviewing arrest affidavits to determine whether the arresting officer has stated facts that amount to probable cause, rather than stating conclusory allegations
Gert Town Revival Initiative:
The Gert Town Revival Initiative (GRI) is a non-profit, community-based organization in the Gert Town neighborhood of New Orleans whose mission is to “revitalize and develop Gert Town and the adjacent community through programs, activities, and services that will enhance the total quality of life” for neighborhood residents. Founded in 2003, GRI initially was formed to advocate for the successful clean-up of the Thompson Hayward Chemical plant which sits in the Mid-City area of New Orleans and on the edge of Gert Town. The Thompson Hayward site contains 9 million pounds of contaminants according to testimony provided by Rev. Lois Dejean, Executive Director of GRI. During Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, Gert Town took on floodwaters and the physical condition of the Thompson Hayward site worsened. Working with representatives form Advocates for Environmental Human Rights and environmental expert, Wilma Subra, neighborhood residents and GRI were able to determine that much of their neighborhood has elevated contamination levels post-Katrina. In addition, due to the floodwaters of the breached levees, the neighborhood currently has many of the same rebuilding challenges of other New Orleans neighborhoods: much of the population is displaced, much of the housing stock was destroyed and there is little clear direction about how neighborhood rebuilding should proceed.
In the face of these challenges, GRI is working to revitalize this section of the City. One of their major current projects is a property inventory database that will identify and map all properties (parcels) located within the GRI boundaries; inclusive of current ownership information available from public records and blighted, vacant and adjudicated properties.
The Fordham students will be working on the property inventory database. They will be researching the GRI properties, which will involve physical mapping but also research on who owns the properties, and what the current state of the title is. These efforts will go into GRI's work on establishing a land trust.
Road Home Heirship Affidavit Project:
This project is one that SHN developed in conjunction with the New Orleans Legal Assistance Center (NOLAC), a nonprofit civil free legal aid program which has served the Greater New Orleans community and Louisiana for 36 years. This project (which our very own Hillary Exter has been instrumental in developing!) will have students interviewing residents and preparing affidavits to help expedite the process of applying for and being granted funds through the Road Home Program. To enroll in the Road Home Program, applicants need to secure clear title and establish home ownership, which NOLAC and the Fordham Students will be helping them do.
For more information about Student Hurricane Network visit:
www.studenthurricanenetwork.org
Or contact us at:
shn@law.fordham.edu
Projects for the Week:
Louisiana Capital Assistance Center:
The Louisiana Capital Assistance Center (LCAC) is a non-profit capital trial organization deeply committed to providing quality legal representation to people facing the death penalty in Louisiana. The LCAC emphasizes client-centered representation, constantly seeks to develop new and innovative advocacy strategies, and also pursues systematic litigation related to issues involving racism in the criminal justice system and lack of funding for adequate representation.
The Fordham students will be reviewing arrest affidavits to determine whether the arresting officer has stated facts that amount to probable cause, rather than stating conclusory allegations
Gert Town Revival Initiative:
The Gert Town Revival Initiative (GRI) is a non-profit, community-based organization in the Gert Town neighborhood of New Orleans whose mission is to “revitalize and develop Gert Town and the adjacent community through programs, activities, and services that will enhance the total quality of life” for neighborhood residents. Founded in 2003, GRI initially was formed to advocate for the successful clean-up of the Thompson Hayward Chemical plant which sits in the Mid-City area of New Orleans and on the edge of Gert Town. The Thompson Hayward site contains 9 million pounds of contaminants according to testimony provided by Rev. Lois Dejean, Executive Director of GRI. During Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, Gert Town took on floodwaters and the physical condition of the Thompson Hayward site worsened. Working with representatives form Advocates for Environmental Human Rights and environmental expert, Wilma Subra, neighborhood residents and GRI were able to determine that much of their neighborhood has elevated contamination levels post-Katrina. In addition, due to the floodwaters of the breached levees, the neighborhood currently has many of the same rebuilding challenges of other New Orleans neighborhoods: much of the population is displaced, much of the housing stock was destroyed and there is little clear direction about how neighborhood rebuilding should proceed.
In the face of these challenges, GRI is working to revitalize this section of the City. One of their major current projects is a property inventory database that will identify and map all properties (parcels) located within the GRI boundaries; inclusive of current ownership information available from public records and blighted, vacant and adjudicated properties.
The Fordham students will be working on the property inventory database. They will be researching the GRI properties, which will involve physical mapping but also research on who owns the properties, and what the current state of the title is. These efforts will go into GRI's work on establishing a land trust.
Road Home Heirship Affidavit Project:
This project is one that SHN developed in conjunction with the New Orleans Legal Assistance Center (NOLAC), a nonprofit civil free legal aid program which has served the Greater New Orleans community and Louisiana for 36 years. This project (which our very own Hillary Exter has been instrumental in developing!) will have students interviewing residents and preparing affidavits to help expedite the process of applying for and being granted funds through the Road Home Program. To enroll in the Road Home Program, applicants need to secure clear title and establish home ownership, which NOLAC and the Fordham Students will be helping them do.
For more information about Student Hurricane Network visit:
www.studenthurricanenetwork.org
Or contact us at:
shn@law.fordham.edu
Tuesday, February 20, 2007
NATIONAL DAY OF SOLIDARITY
Tuesday - February 20, 2007
It’s time once again to join with law schools across the country in a National Day of Solidarity, which will take place on February 20, Fat Tuesday, or otherwise known as Mardi Gras!
Last year’s National Day of Solidarity was a great success. And this year it is time to once again to remind the public that the struggle is not over, that tens of thousands of people are still being barred from returning to their homes, that hundreds of thousands of displaced individuals still have no way of knowing the condition of their homes and communities, that many others are still unable to enjoy the kinds of social guarantees like basic education and health care that we take for granted. And it is time to once again remind our communities that there are still those that continue laboring to uphold the fundamental rights of these people, and that they, too, need help. So on February 20th, when the focus of a celebrating country inevitably turns to New Orleans as “the greatest free show on earth,” remind your family, friends, colleagues, coworkers, and fellow citizens what’s at stake.
Schools planning events for the National Day of Solidarity:
American University Washington College of Law
Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law
Boston University
Brooklyn Law School
Chicago - Kent Law School
DePaul University College of Law
Fordham University School of Law
FSU College of Law
George Mason University School of Law
George Washington School of Law
Harvard Law School
Howard University
The John Marshall Law School in Chicago
Mississippi College School of Law in Jackson
Pace University School of Law
Pepperdine
Seton Hall Law School
Texas Wesleyan University School of Law in Fort Worth
Tulane Law School
University of Akron School of Law
University of Baltimore
UC Berkley (undergrad)
UC Davis
UC Hastings
University of Denver
University of Missouri - Columbia
University of Nebraska - Lincoln
University of Oregon
University of Toledo
University of Wisconsin School of Law
Washburn University
Washington University School of Law
Western New England College of Law
William and Mary
Tuesday - February 20, 2007
It’s time once again to join with law schools across the country in a National Day of Solidarity, which will take place on February 20, Fat Tuesday, or otherwise known as Mardi Gras!
Last year’s National Day of Solidarity was a great success. And this year it is time to once again to remind the public that the struggle is not over, that tens of thousands of people are still being barred from returning to their homes, that hundreds of thousands of displaced individuals still have no way of knowing the condition of their homes and communities, that many others are still unable to enjoy the kinds of social guarantees like basic education and health care that we take for granted. And it is time to once again remind our communities that there are still those that continue laboring to uphold the fundamental rights of these people, and that they, too, need help. So on February 20th, when the focus of a celebrating country inevitably turns to New Orleans as “the greatest free show on earth,” remind your family, friends, colleagues, coworkers, and fellow citizens what’s at stake.
Schools planning events for the National Day of Solidarity:
American University Washington College of Law
Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law
Boston University
Brooklyn Law School
Chicago - Kent Law School
DePaul University College of Law
Fordham University School of Law
FSU College of Law
George Mason University School of Law
George Washington School of Law
Harvard Law School
Howard University
The John Marshall Law School in Chicago
Mississippi College School of Law in Jackson
Pace University School of Law
Pepperdine
Seton Hall Law School
Texas Wesleyan University School of Law in Fort Worth
Tulane Law School
University of Akron School of Law
University of Baltimore
UC Berkley (undergrad)
UC Davis
UC Hastings
University of Denver
University of Missouri - Columbia
University of Nebraska - Lincoln
University of Oregon
University of Toledo
University of Wisconsin School of Law
Washburn University
Washington University School of Law
Western New England College of Law
William and Mary
Saturday, February 17, 2007
Mardi Gras Events
Mardi Gras will be here soon and we've got some great events coming up this week.
This Is My Home (a documentary)
Tuesday, February 20th, 2007
12:30 PM
Room 303
Fordham Law School
On Tuesday February 20th, Mardi Gras, over 30 law schools across the country will be holding events to observe a day of solidarity with the residents of the Gulf Coast affected by hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Here at Fordham, SHN and the Housing Advocacy Project will be screening This is My Home, a documentary about the fight for public housing in New Orleans.
Most of New Orleans public housing withstood the hurricane with little or no damage, yet thousands of families are still shut out of their homes and remain displaced across the country. This Is My Home is a tribute to the perseverance of the displaced residents of New Orleans, and it is a call to action for the public, politicians, and all justice-minded people to support their right to return home.
There will be King Cake and Two Boots Pizza.
* * * *
Mardi Gras Celebration
Tuesday Night, February 20th
Location & Time TBA
Come on out and celebrate Mardi Gras with your SHN pals. It will be a great opportunity to re-connect with folks you worked with on trips. Spring Breakers, you can get to know the people you will be working with in March. As soon as we decide where to party we will let you know.
* * * *
An Inconvenient Truth
Thursday, February 22nd
6:00 PM
McNally Amphitheater
Fordham Law School
Along with Environmental Law Advocates, The Environmental Law Journal and Amnesty International, SHN is co-sponsoring a screening of Al Gore's "An Inconvenient Truth."
The Number of Category 4 and 5 Hurricanes has almost doubled in the past 30 years. With 2005, the worst storm season ever experienced in America just behind us, it seems we may be reaching a tipping point - and Gore pulls no punches in explaining the dire situation. Interspersed with the bracing facts and future predictions is the story of Gore's personal journey: from an idealistic college student who first saw a massive environmental crisis looming; to a young Senator facing a harrowing family tragedy that altered his perspective, to the man who almost became President but instead returned to the most important cause of his life - convinced that there is still time to make a difference.
* * * * *
And don't miss this weekend:
Mardi Gras NYC 2007
A Benefit for the People's Hurricane Relief Fund
Saturday, February 17th
Doors 8pm
The Pussycat Lounge
96 Greenwich St. at Rector
Featuring:(9 BANDS!!!) Hungry March Band (at 12 midnight), The New York Howl, Screaming Females, The Two Man Gentleman Band, Higgins, Man in Gray, The Unsacred Hearts, The Invincible Gods, and Eisenhower. Expect some surprise performances.
Many of us who went on the first trip to NOLA in January 2006 worked with the People's Hurricane Relief Fund. PHRF is an organization that has been successful in getting money and assistance directly to people affected by Hurricane Katrina. Hungry March Band donates their performance and any funds raised in the name of Dinerral Shavers, the snare player for the Hot 8 Brass Band who was recently shot and killed in New Orleans while driving his car.
More info:
myspace.com/mardigrasnyc
We hope to see you at these events.
This Is My Home (a documentary)
Tuesday, February 20th, 2007
12:30 PM
Room 303
Fordham Law School
On Tuesday February 20th, Mardi Gras, over 30 law schools across the country will be holding events to observe a day of solidarity with the residents of the Gulf Coast affected by hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Here at Fordham, SHN and the Housing Advocacy Project will be screening This is My Home, a documentary about the fight for public housing in New Orleans.
Most of New Orleans public housing withstood the hurricane with little or no damage, yet thousands of families are still shut out of their homes and remain displaced across the country. This Is My Home is a tribute to the perseverance of the displaced residents of New Orleans, and it is a call to action for the public, politicians, and all justice-minded people to support their right to return home.
There will be King Cake and Two Boots Pizza.
* * * *
Mardi Gras Celebration
Tuesday Night, February 20th
Location & Time TBA
Come on out and celebrate Mardi Gras with your SHN pals. It will be a great opportunity to re-connect with folks you worked with on trips. Spring Breakers, you can get to know the people you will be working with in March. As soon as we decide where to party we will let you know.
* * * *
An Inconvenient Truth
Thursday, February 22nd
6:00 PM
McNally Amphitheater
Fordham Law School
Along with Environmental Law Advocates, The Environmental Law Journal and Amnesty International, SHN is co-sponsoring a screening of Al Gore's "An Inconvenient Truth."
The Number of Category 4 and 5 Hurricanes has almost doubled in the past 30 years. With 2005, the worst storm season ever experienced in America just behind us, it seems we may be reaching a tipping point - and Gore pulls no punches in explaining the dire situation. Interspersed with the bracing facts and future predictions is the story of Gore's personal journey: from an idealistic college student who first saw a massive environmental crisis looming; to a young Senator facing a harrowing family tragedy that altered his perspective, to the man who almost became President but instead returned to the most important cause of his life - convinced that there is still time to make a difference.
* * * * *
And don't miss this weekend:
Mardi Gras NYC 2007
A Benefit for the People's Hurricane Relief Fund
Saturday, February 17th
Doors 8pm
The Pussycat Lounge
96 Greenwich St. at Rector
Featuring:(9 BANDS!!!) Hungry March Band (at 12 midnight), The New York Howl, Screaming Females, The Two Man Gentleman Band, Higgins, Man in Gray, The Unsacred Hearts, The Invincible Gods, and Eisenhower. Expect some surprise performances.
Many of us who went on the first trip to NOLA in January 2006 worked with the People's Hurricane Relief Fund. PHRF is an organization that has been successful in getting money and assistance directly to people affected by Hurricane Katrina. Hungry March Band donates their performance and any funds raised in the name of Dinerral Shavers, the snare player for the Hot 8 Brass Band who was recently shot and killed in New Orleans while driving his car.
More info:
myspace.com/mardigrasnyc
We hope to see you at these events.
Monday, February 5, 2007
Call Congress Today!!!
Dear Friends,
Support displaced public housing residents from New Orleans in their fight
to go home. Displaced residents have traveled to Washington, DC to make
their voices heard, but *they need our help *in telling their stories. Please
take *5 minutes *on *Monday, February 5th *to help New Orleanians in their
battle to return home.
*The Situation: *50 displaced public housing residents are in DC for a
Congressional hearing about federally-assisted housing in post-Katrina New
Orleans. Residents would like to have a voice at the table. But, so far,
no displaced residents are on the hearing agenda.
*The Ask: *Call Representative Barney Frank's office and tell them *you want
public housing residents to speak at Tuesday's hearing*. Tell them you do
not support HUD's plans to demolish four of New Orleans largest public
housing complexes. Tell them that you believe in a democracy where
government responds to those affected, instead of leaving them displaced and
behind.
*Who to Call: *Call Barney Frank's Financial Services Committee office at:
(202) 225-4247. *Ask for Dominique McCoy*, Chairman Frank's housing
staffer. If she isn't available, please leave a message with the person
answering the phone. Also, if your Representative is on the Financial
Services Committee, please call them and make the same request: find your
Representative
Committee assignments.
*Background Information*
- Tuesday's congressional hearing will discuss the Bush
administration's plans to demolish over 4,000 units of affordable housing
instead of allowing residents to return home.
- Before the hurricane, the four projects targeted for demolition had
4,534 units of affordable housing: 1,546 in BW Cooper, 723 in C.J.
Peete; 1,400 in St. Bernard and 865 in Lafitte.
- Plans for Lafitte housing are not yet public, but the other three
projects will be *reduced from a total of 3,669 units to 1,415 units*.
Of these, only 468 will be low-income units and another 426 will be
mixed-income units. The rest will rent at market rate.
- HUD's demolition plans fail to meet the commitment Scott Keller,
Deputy Chief of Staff at HUD, made following a New Orleans City Council
meeting on June 15, 2006, where he stated, "What we are looking for is
one-for-one replacement [in public housing units] across the continuum of
New Orleans."
- Demolishing these
buildingswill
cost more than rehabbing the existing ones.
It will also provide fewer affordable units. More money for fewer
units isn't right for post-Katrina New Orleans.
Support displaced public housing residents from New Orleans in their fight
to go home. Displaced residents have traveled to Washington, DC to make
their voices heard, but *they need our help *in telling their stories. Please
take *5 minutes *on *Monday, February 5th *to help New Orleanians in their
battle to return home.
*The Situation: *50 displaced public housing residents are in DC for a
Congressional hearing about federally-assisted housing in post-Katrina New
Orleans. Residents would like to have a voice at the table. But, so far,
no displaced residents are on the hearing agenda.
*The Ask: *Call Representative Barney Frank's office and tell them *you want
public housing residents to speak at Tuesday's hearing*. Tell them you do
not support HUD's plans to demolish four of New Orleans largest public
housing complexes. Tell them that you believe in a democracy where
government responds to those affected, instead of leaving them displaced and
behind.
*Who to Call: *Call Barney Frank's Financial Services Committee office at:
(202) 225-4247. *Ask for Dominique McCoy*, Chairman Frank's housing
staffer. If she isn't available, please leave a message with the person
answering the phone. Also, if your Representative is on the Financial
Services Committee, please call them and make the same request: find your
Representative
Committee assignments
*Background Information*
- Tuesday's congressional hearing will discuss the Bush
administration's plans to demolish over 4,000 units of affordable housing
instead of allowing residents to return home.
- Before the hurricane, the four projects targeted for demolition had
4,534 units of affordable housing: 1,546 in BW Cooper, 723 in C.J.
Peete; 1,400 in St. Bernard and 865 in Lafitte.
- Plans for Lafitte housing are not yet public, but the other three
projects will be *reduced from a total of 3,669 units to 1,415 units*.
Of these, only 468 will be low-income units and another 426 will be
mixed-income units. The rest will rent at market rate.
- HUD's demolition plans fail to meet the commitment Scott Keller,
Deputy Chief of Staff at HUD, made following a New Orleans City Council
meeting on June 15, 2006, where he stated, "What we are looking for is
one-for-one replacement [in public housing units] across the continuum of
New Orleans."
- Demolishing these
buildings
cost more than rehabbing the existing ones.
It will also provide fewer affordable units. More money for fewer
units isn't right for post-Katrina New Orleans.
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