Comments on: Obligatory and Unsatisfactory Ruminations on the Public Housing Debacle in New Orleans http://b.rox.com/2007/12/18/obligatory-and-unsatisfactory-ruminations-on-the-public-housing-debacle-in-new-orleans/ Life in the Flood Zone Thu, 08 Jan 2009 19:15:50 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.7 hourly 1 By: bark, bugs, leaves, and lizards :: Trees : People http://b.rox.com/2007/12/18/obligatory-and-unsatisfactory-ruminations-on-the-public-housing-debacle-in-new-orleans/comment-page-1/#comment-161393 bark, bugs, leaves, and lizards :: Trees : People Wed, 23 Jan 2008 00:09:51 +0000 http://b.rox.com/2007/12/18/obligatory-and-unsatisfactory-ruminations-on-the-public-housing-debacle-in-new-orleans/#comment-161393 [...] and seriously lacking in creative thinking. It’s not the buildings’ fault. I agree with editor b: But I have a hard time with any plan that calls for tearing down sturdy building built in the [...] [...] and seriously lacking in creative thinking. It’s not the buildings’ fault. I agree with editor b: But I have a hard time with any plan that calls for tearing down sturdy building built in the [...]

]]> By: Sean http://b.rox.com/2007/12/18/obligatory-and-unsatisfactory-ruminations-on-the-public-housing-debacle-in-new-orleans/comment-page-1/#comment-156797 Sean Wed, 19 Dec 2007 00:24:43 +0000 http://b.rox.com/2007/12/18/obligatory-and-unsatisfactory-ruminations-on-the-public-housing-debacle-in-new-orleans/#comment-156797 One question I've heard is will the new buildings be like the Desire housing which didn't survive the storm? It seems having the Fed Government in charge of the department of housing only makes communications more disjointed. Then there is the Edward T. Pound's article on HUD dealings. Columbia Residential owes Housing Sec. Jackson money from a past agreement and C.R. was part of the team awarded $127 million competitive contract from HANO to redevelop the St. Bernard. Something is not transparent here... http://news.nationaljournal.com/articles/071004nj2.htm And Quigley's comment on the number of apartments planned should be respectfully addressed by supporters of the demolitions: "HUD is spending $762 million in taxpayer funds to tear down over 4600 public housing subsidized apartments and replace them with 744 similarly subsidized units - an 82% reduction." One question I’ve heard is will the new buildings be like the Desire housing which didn’t survive the storm? It seems having the Fed Government in charge of the department of housing only makes communications more disjointed.

Then there is the Edward T. Pound’s article on HUD dealings. Columbia Residential owes Housing Sec. Jackson money from a past agreement and C.R. was part of the team awarded $127 million competitive contract from HANO to redevelop the St. Bernard. Something is not transparent here…
http://news.nationaljournal.com/articles/071004nj2.htm

And Quigley’s comment on the number of apartments planned should be respectfully addressed by supporters of the demolitions:
“HUD is spending $762 million in taxpayer funds to tear down over 4600 public housing subsidized apartments and replace them with 744 similarly subsidized units - an 82% reduction.”

]]> By: Seung http://b.rox.com/2007/12/18/obligatory-and-unsatisfactory-ruminations-on-the-public-housing-debacle-in-new-orleans/comment-page-1/#comment-156791 Seung Tue, 18 Dec 2007 23:30:20 +0000 http://b.rox.com/2007/12/18/obligatory-and-unsatisfactory-ruminations-on-the-public-housing-debacle-in-new-orleans/#comment-156791 Civitch, Just wanted to point out that the proposed redevelopment plan for Lafitte does in fact already bring back the street grid. And not all buildings will be demolished under the redevelopment plan. Most will though, as HUD has said that it would be more expensive to rehab them than to redevelop them. This is due to a few factors (I'm just the messenger here relaying information) including mold remediation, the poured concrete build design, which makes knocking down walls for expansion very difficult and also impossible to raise the foundation to decrease flood risk and the insurance costs. Civitch,

Just wanted to point out that the proposed redevelopment plan for Lafitte does in fact already bring back the street grid. And not all buildings will be demolished under the redevelopment plan. Most will though, as HUD has said that it would be more expensive to rehab them than to redevelop them. This is due to a few factors (I’m just the messenger here relaying information) including mold remediation, the poured concrete build design, which makes knocking down walls for expansion very difficult and also impossible to raise the foundation to decrease flood risk and the insurance costs.

]]> By: Frank Schiavo http://b.rox.com/2007/12/18/obligatory-and-unsatisfactory-ruminations-on-the-public-housing-debacle-in-new-orleans/comment-page-1/#comment-156774 Frank Schiavo Tue, 18 Dec 2007 21:15:41 +0000 http://b.rox.com/2007/12/18/obligatory-and-unsatisfactory-ruminations-on-the-public-housing-debacle-in-new-orleans/#comment-156774 I have stayed out of this argument, even though I get asked a lot about it in my recent spat of family needed traveling. Most folks I hear from outside the area don't seem to know what all the protesting is about. I try to explain that it is mostly a communication problem--some protesters are so used to double-talk and lies from HANO & the Feds they don't believe anything they say or promise. Others Protesters are concerned that the new mixed income housing won't include them and/or will force them to seperate families and friends. Some of my friends point at the units completed across the river or in other communittees and wonder why would anyone want to go back to live in the conditions some of those units were in with all the crime & hopelessness in the first place. I wish I knew the answers to this one. More importantly, I wish both sides would sit down and try to find the answers. I have stayed out of this argument, even though I get asked a lot about it in my recent spat of family needed traveling. Most folks I hear from outside the area don’t seem to know what all the protesting is about. I try to explain that it is mostly a communication problem–some protesters are so used to double-talk and lies from HANO & the Feds they don’t believe anything they say or promise. Others Protesters are concerned that the new mixed income housing won’t include them and/or will force them to seperate families and friends. Some of my friends point at the units completed across the river or in other communittees and wonder why would anyone want to go back to live in the conditions some of those units were in with all the crime & hopelessness in the first place. I wish I knew the answers to this one.

More importantly, I wish both sides would sit down and try to find the answers.

]]> By: Civitch http://b.rox.com/2007/12/18/obligatory-and-unsatisfactory-ruminations-on-the-public-housing-debacle-in-new-orleans/comment-page-1/#comment-156773 Civitch Tue, 18 Dec 2007 20:59:40 +0000 http://b.rox.com/2007/12/18/obligatory-and-unsatisfactory-ruminations-on-the-public-housing-debacle-in-new-orleans/#comment-156773 There IS a middle ground, one which was arrived upon by the months-long, city-approved UNOP process. It calls for the return of the street grid through Lafitte, resulting in some demolition, and then a renovation of the remaining buildings to create a mixed-income community. Unfortunately, the radicals on both sides have polarized and poisoned the discussion to the point where this very do-able plan, one that actually *has* the support of the community, has been completely sidelined and isn't even on the table. There IS a middle ground, one which was arrived upon by the months-long, city-approved UNOP process. It calls for the return of the street grid through Lafitte, resulting in some demolition, and then a renovation of the remaining buildings to create a mixed-income community.

Unfortunately, the radicals on both sides have polarized and poisoned the discussion to the point where this very do-able plan, one that actually *has* the support of the community, has been completely sidelined and isn’t even on the table.

]]> By: Howie Luvzus http://b.rox.com/2007/12/18/obligatory-and-unsatisfactory-ruminations-on-the-public-housing-debacle-in-new-orleans/comment-page-1/#comment-156764 Howie Luvzus Tue, 18 Dec 2007 19:24:10 +0000 http://b.rox.com/2007/12/18/obligatory-and-unsatisfactory-ruminations-on-the-public-housing-debacle-in-new-orleans/#comment-156764 I appreciate your struggle. As one who has worked with many folks who live in public housing now and pre-K, I have mixed emotions. In many instances, the housing is inhumane. However, it is the only option for some who for a variety of reasons can't afford the new rent in New Orleans. I also struggle with the demographic of those who are complaining the most. Do they truly represent the folks who have or are currently living in public housing? Are they giving voice to the voiceless or are they grandstanding so they'll have a cool story to tell when they go back home? After working with so many of the poor in New Orleans, I have lost all hope that they can be "served" by our government whether state or local. The good news is that I haven't lost hope in the ability of so many of the poor to take care of themselves and their own. Yes, many slip through the cracks and it's horrible, but I have found in many cases a community of support that is profound. My hope is that persons who care can find a way to help those who are struggling to survive. I appreciate your struggle. As one who has worked with many folks who live in public housing now and pre-K, I have mixed emotions. In many instances, the housing is inhumane. However, it is the only option for some who for a variety of reasons can’t afford the new rent in New Orleans.

I also struggle with the demographic of those who are complaining the most. Do they truly represent the folks who have or are currently living in public housing? Are they giving voice to the voiceless or are they grandstanding so they’ll have a cool story to tell when they go back home?

After working with so many of the poor in New Orleans, I have lost all hope that they can be “served” by our government whether state or local. The good news is that I haven’t lost hope in the ability of so many of the poor to take care of themselves and their own. Yes, many slip through the cracks and it’s horrible, but I have found in many cases a community of support that is profound.

My hope is that persons who care can find a way to help those who are struggling to survive.

]]> By: Varg http://b.rox.com/2007/12/18/obligatory-and-unsatisfactory-ruminations-on-the-public-housing-debacle-in-new-orleans/comment-page-1/#comment-156763 Varg Tue, 18 Dec 2007 19:19:40 +0000 http://b.rox.com/2007/12/18/obligatory-and-unsatisfactory-ruminations-on-the-public-housing-debacle-in-new-orleans/#comment-156763 I'm right there with ya on the confusion about where to fall. I just finished up a post on The Chic about it. I didn't mention anything about the buildings themselves. Yes they are strong structures but it's the layout of concentrated poverty that's the real demon isn't it? We could throw money at the buildings, renovating them and bringing them up to snuff but they are built in fortress style, meant to distinctly separate them and their residents from the surrounding neighborhood. It's an exercise in exclusion. Also, in the middle of such complexes, people can't even see the neighborhood (ie: the city and it's opportunities) around them. It is no wonder that they feel outcast from the city. There is also the general notion by the public that the buildings are "the projects." We had several projects in Pensacola where i grew up and they continued to try and rehabilitate the developments by changing their names from "Truman Arms" to "Oakwood Terrace" and such. People still called them by their old names. The places haven't improved much either. I’m right there with ya on the confusion about where to fall. I just finished up a post on The Chic about it. I didn’t mention anything about the buildings themselves. Yes they are strong structures but it’s the layout of concentrated poverty that’s the real demon isn’t it? We could throw money at the buildings, renovating them and bringing them up to snuff but they are built in fortress style, meant to distinctly separate them and their residents from the surrounding neighborhood. It’s an exercise in exclusion. Also, in the middle of such complexes, people can’t even see the neighborhood (ie: the city and it’s opportunities) around them. It is no wonder that they feel outcast from the city. There is also the general notion by the public that the buildings are “the projects.” We had several projects in Pensacola where i grew up and they continued to try and rehabilitate the developments by changing their names from “Truman Arms” to “Oakwood Terrace” and such. People still called them by their old names. The places haven’t improved much either.

]]> By: David http://b.rox.com/2007/12/18/obligatory-and-unsatisfactory-ruminations-on-the-public-housing-debacle-in-new-orleans/comment-page-1/#comment-156752 David Tue, 18 Dec 2007 18:01:08 +0000 http://b.rox.com/2007/12/18/obligatory-and-unsatisfactory-ruminations-on-the-public-housing-debacle-in-new-orleans/#comment-156752 Speaking of the original buildings, a few of the original buildings of the St. Thomas (?, the one near Wal-Mart in uptown) project remains, and someone's doing a very thorough renovation of them. Speaking of the original buildings, a few of the original buildings of the St. Thomas (?, the one near Wal-Mart in uptown) project remains, and someone’s doing a very thorough renovation of them.

]]> By: meekorouse http://b.rox.com/2007/12/18/obligatory-and-unsatisfactory-ruminations-on-the-public-housing-debacle-in-new-orleans/comment-page-1/#comment-156751 meekorouse Tue, 18 Dec 2007 17:59:17 +0000 http://b.rox.com/2007/12/18/obligatory-and-unsatisfactory-ruminations-on-the-public-housing-debacle-in-new-orleans/#comment-156751 Bart: not sure where in Indiana you're from but this post reminds me once again of <a href="http://indiamond6.ulib.iupui.edu/cdm4/item_viewer.php?CISOROOT=/IUPUIphotos&CISOPTR=1320&REC=9" rel="nofollow">LOCKFIELD GARDENS</a> a place that was built orginally as Public Housing in the 30s and today is a very expensive apartment complex (at least it was when I was attending school.) Bart: not sure where in Indiana you’re from but this post reminds me once again of LOCKFIELD GARDENS a place that was built orginally as Public Housing in the 30s and today is a very expensive apartment complex (at least it was when I was attending school.)

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