March, 2007

Sham Katrina housing plan funnels billions to corporations

BY TED QUANT

New Orleans is 16 to18 months out from Katrina and things are still structured so people can't get back home. Middle class people who might have the resources are also being blocked. The Road Home Program, where the Federal Government gave over $1 billion to corporations to supposedly give away $7 billion to help homeowners is a big sham. The policies are designed to eliminate thousands from getting any assistance. The Road Home has done nothing for renters.

The Housing Authority closed the public housing project, locked the people out and wouldn't even let them get their clothes out. They claimed this was because it was unsafe, but only the bottom floors of some apartments were flooded. The Housing Authority says they want to rebuild better housing developments for mixed income. But the history in New Orleans is empty promises and fraud. If they were truly acting in the interest of the residents, they could have used the millions of dollars available to rebuild New Orleans to provide decent temporary housing and move residents into habitable apartments while the new ones are built. Instead they intend to keep people out of housing until the new ones are built, effectively slamming the door on residents desperate to come home.

Congress recently held hearings, initiated by Rep. Maxine Waters, on this issue and others connected with the slow pace of recovery. People throughout the country can continue to demonstrate and contact their elected officials to demand that public housing and other displaced renters be assisted in getting immediate assistance to decent affordable housing in New Orleans now.

Katrina survivors lining up for food in the hurricane’s wake. PHOTO/DAYMONJHARTLEY.COM

While New Orleans evacuees can't return due to lack of affordable housing, schools, medical access, day care and other services needed by families to function, work and recover, tens of thousands of laborers have been brought in to the take the place of local labor. Politically connected corporations make millions on contracts, creaming the money off the top, subcontracting the work to others. They create a conflict between the poor in this country and the immigrant poor who are also trying to survive in this globalized economy which is set up to get the poor to compete over who will work for less. This is the latest challenge to economic justice that the people of New Orleans are fighting. It is being replicated in cities across the country,

On the positive side, there is a tremendous grassroots motion of people fighting to reopen public housing, to improve access to medical care and for quality education for all. This is the hope and opportunity that must be joined, encouraged, and supported.

Ted Quant is a long-time activist and fighter for the poor from New Orleans. He is available to speak through Speakers for a New America at http://www.speakersforanewamerica.com or by calling 800-691-6888.