"It is unfortunate, if not incredible, that FEMA and its counsel could not devise a sufficient notice system to spare these beleaguered evacuees the added burden of federal litigation to vindicate their constitutional rights," Leon, a D.C. federal judge, wrote in a 19-page opinion.FEMA says that of the 720,590 households that have received rental assistance, only 33,889 families remained eligible for aid as of Oct. 19, the Post reports. An additional 108,088 families, most headed by homeowners, are still in FEMA trailers and mobile homes. Each household includes about three people, according to analyst estimates.
"Free these evacuees from the 'Kafkaesque' application process they have had to endure," he wrote.
People chanting "People First!" tried to amend the agenda to have the residents heard before HANO's presentations. C. Donald Babers, Chairman of the HANO board, then took control of the microphone and demanded that the HANO-approved agenda be continued as scheduled.There was a small bit of good news this week for New Orleans area residents in need of affordable housing, as tenants of the Woodlands Apartment complex in Algiers won a legal battle that will allow them to remain in their homes rent-free until the new year. Shortly before Thanksgiving, the tenants received eviction notices after the complex was sold, leaving many fearful they would be left homeless for the holidays. Common Ground manages the complex.
The chanting continues over the voice of Judith Moran, Director of Development, who reads a power point presentation entitled "Vision for Redevelopment." When the slides on demolition were read, Moran had to contend with chanting of "No Demolitions!" by more than one hundred members of the packed crowd in John McDonogh Senior High School Auditorium.
Links:
[1] http://katrinareader.cwsworkshop.org/institute-southern-studies
[2] http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/11/29/AR2006112901275.html
[3] http://takeaction.amnestyusa.org/siteapps/advocacy/index.aspx?c=goJTI0OvElH&b=953489&template=x.ascx&action=7695
[4] http://www.wdsu.com/news/10424839/detail.html?rss=no&psp=news
[5] http://www.commongroundrelief.org/
[6] http://www.commongroundrelief.org/node/326
[7] http://www.commongroundrelief.org/gallery/woodlandsdefence/
[8] http://southernstudies.org/facingsouth/2006/11/battle-over-new-orleans-housing.asp
[9] http://katrinareader.cwsworkshop.org/taxonomy/term/22