Katrina: Public housing residents also deserve to reach home

This action alert comes from the Advancement Project - advancementproject.org. See their documentary on their site, and sign the online petition for Senate bill 1668 - the Gulf Coast Recovery Bill of 2007 - expected to come to a vote as soon as next week. Sign here: http://whenthesaints.org

"Two years ago, Hurricane Katrina made its devastating landfall on the Gulf Coast.

 Today, much of the region’s infrastructure remains in ruin.

 In New Orleans, Hurricane Katrina caused damage to 300,000 housing units, of which 71% were low-income housing.  Most of the city’s public housing received no or moderate damage, but approximately 1,300 out of 5,146 units have been reopened (the rest remain boarded up awaiting demolition). There is a severe shortage of affordable housing in the post-Katrina New Orleans housing market, which has meant the continued displacement of predominantly low-income African Africans two years after the storm.

 Advancement Project pledges to persist in the fight for people’s right to return home.
 We recently partnered with Brave New Foundation to distribute a short video, When the Saints Go Marching In, to raise awareness of the ongoing housing crisis in New Orleans. During the making of this video, the filmmakers heard the story of the Aguilar family who lost their home to storm and only received $4,000 in payments from their insurance company. They met Mr. Washington, an 87- year-old man and former carpenter, who owned three homes prior to the storm.  He is still living in a FEMA trailer today.  And they met Julie, who could have returned to her job and normal life, if the government had opened up the public housing unit that she had lived in prior to the storm.

 You can watch their stories at:  http://whenthesaints.org

 You can also view Advancement Project’s documentary about the fight for public housing in New Orleans, This Is My Home, at: www.advancementproject.org.

 There is something you can do to help. Please sign the petition urging the Senate to pass the Gulf Coast Recovery Bill of 2007 (S. 1668). The bill is expected to come to a vote after Labor Day. Its passage will be an important step toward rebuilding the infrastructure in the Gulf Coast region. Please sign the petition at: http://whenthesaints.org "