The housing situation is dire in NOLA; unless of course you're wealthy. Renters from Public Housing before the storm have little chance of returning due to the fact that Housing Authority of New Orleans(HANO) hasn't reopened a fraction of the public housing units since the storm. Many of the 5,000+ units were not significantly damaged by the storm. Most didn't flood and many are built from sturdy brick construction. Most of the damage to these units are said to largely be cosmetic. Developers are eyeing these sites and the city seems to be considering a turnover to the private sector. Lots of flowery language like mixed-use condos, green space, i.e. golf courses. Smells like nola, like nearly every urban center on the continent, is the fresh new breedy ground for gentrification.
Above is a picture of a homeless encampment right across the street from City Hall. The gentlemen in this picture are homeless advocates who are involved in this demonstration. They want Mayor Nagin to acknowledge the problem and open needed housing shelters. Below is a picture of the still, literally 'broken', City Hall building. The homeless camp is under the structure in the foreground.
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