United Nations Investigates New Orleans' Housing Crisis

Official Press Release from National Economic and Social Rights Initiative

July 21st 2009, New Orleans – United Nations advisors will arrive in
New Orleans next week to investigate the forced eviction of thousands
of residents as part of the city’s ongoing post-Hurricane Katrina
redevelopment. The investigation will be the UN’s third visit to New
Orleans in the past three years, demonstrating its continuing concerns
about the approach the city is taking toward housing and
redevelopment.

During the fact-finding mission between July 26th and July 31st,
independent experts from the UN Advisory Group on Forced Evictions
will travel to affected communities across the city, focusing on three
principal issues: the demolition of public housing; the displacement
of Mid City residents to make way for the Louisiana State University
hospital; and growing homelessness.

Residents will also share their experiences of forced eviction and
their vision for a rebuilding process at a Town Hall meeting with the
Advisory Group on Sunday July 26th.

The Advisory Group will then meet with local government officials,
including representatives from the mayor’s office, city council and
the Housing Authority of New Orleans (HANO), to discuss their findings
before traveling to Washington DC to meet with federal officials
working on post disaster recovery.

The forced evictions being investigated in New Orleans come as a
result of a rebuilding process that favors private sector interests
over the interests of residents. This emphasis on private sector
development is being felt across the country with devastating effects
including the current economic crisis, which has its roots in the
housing sector. While post-Katrina redevelopment policies have had a
disproportionately adverse impact on poor and low-income African
American communities, the ongoing lack of affordable housing, and the
evictions to make way for private sector development, is a significant
issue for all residents of New Orleans and the Gulf Coast.

Commenting on the situation, Sam Jackson, a local resident and founder
of housing rights advocacy organization Mayday New Orleans, said:

“Folks who lived in low-income housing have been having real problems
since the demolition of almost all the public housing two years ago.
The vouchers they’ve been given for replacement housing don’t go near
covering the rent for a whole family. Finding an affordable three or
four bedroom apartment is nearly impossible.”

Members of the Advisory Group delegation will promote a participatory
development model and recommend solutions to the Executive Director of
UN-HABITAT that are geared towards recognition of residents’ human
right to housing and greater involvement by affected communities in
the rebuilding process.

A schedule for the visit and a fact sheet on the issues being
investigated by the UN Advisory Group on Forced Evictions are
available at: