Congresswoman Maxine Waters Concludes New Orleans Housing Subcommittee Hearings

Congresswoman Maxine Waters (D-CA) wrapped up two-days of hearings by the House Subcommittee on Housing and Community Opportunity, of which she is Chairwoman, by focusing today on the status and availability of affordable, quality public housing due to the near-total demolition of the ‘Big Four' public housing developments in New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina. After the hearing Congresswoman Waters, panelists, and other guests participated in a bus tour of the Big Four sites - B.W. Cooper, C.J. Peete, Lafitte, and St. Bernard - and visited the future site of a new public housing development in Iberville, which may be the next development to be demolished and redeveloped.

"From what I heard during today's hearing and from what I saw during the bus tour, I continue to have many concerns about the availability and affordability of quality public housing in New Orleans," said Congresswoman Waters. "I steadfastly opposed the destruction of these housing units after Hurricane Katrina because I saw what was coming down the road: an explosion in the number of homeless New Orleanians and the daunting task of rebuilding from scratch. The decision to destroy thousands of these units has done little to help individuals and families in desperate need of housing."

Following Hurricane Katrina, the number of homeless people in New Orleans doubled and the average cost of rent increased by approximately 50 percent. The destruction of the housing units in the Big Four, rather than refurbishing and repairing them, has created a situation in which the new developments are faced with a looming completion deadline, devalued tax credits, and high construction costs. Additionally these new units will not be rebuilt on a one-for-one basis but will instead be part of a much smaller mixed-income development, decreasing access for those most in need of subsidized housing, who are often facing homelessness or who are indeed already homeless.

"After listening to the concerns of city and community leaders, developers, and residents, I am more convinced than ever on the need for strategic, one-for-one replacement so that we can return all residents to New Orleans," said Congresswoman Waters. "We must keep in mind the individuals and families most in need of, and that will benefit most from, these housing units – the majority of whom are still spread throughout the country four years later."

"I believe we covered a substantial amount of ground during our hearings and tours in New Orleans. We all have a lot of work ahead of us but my priority continues to be making sure that quality public housing is available and affordable to New Orleanians as soon as possible. This city has suffered enough; let's get its residents back home and continue our work setting the city on a sustained path to development."

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