Comments on: Homeless in New Orleans http://siu.blogs.cnn.com/2008/09/01/homeless-in-new-orleans-use-abandoned-homes-for-shelter/ The story behind the story Sun, 20 Dec 2009 02:55:38 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: Lizzy http://siu.blogs.cnn.com/2008/09/01/homeless-in-new-orleans-use-abandoned-homes-for-shelter/#comment-858 Lizzy Sun, 21 Sep 2008 21:50:58 +0000 http://cnnsiu.wordpress.com/?p=203#comment-858 What got left out of this post is that these people are mostly working for a living; They're the waiters and busboys, mechanics, bus and streetcar drivers, all the people who make the city run. Rents in the city have been sent through the roof by greedy landlords and HUD's decision to raise Section 8 vouchers to rents appropriate to completely different parts of the country. The Federal Government has been paying high rents for FEMA employees as well. Right after Katrina long term excellent tenants were tossed out right and left so the rents could be raised and people from out of town who don't know they're being ripped off by local standards could move right in to unflooded areas. It's sickening to hear people brag about doing this, but they do. Wages here don't support these absurd rents. Some rise after renovation post flood is normal, but 100%, 200% jack ups on rentals is insane. My old $600 a month apartment is now $2000. I'm living in my mom's basement. So people live in their cars or buy camping equipment. Or now that the police are harrassing homeless like never before- squatting. What got left out of this post is that these people are mostly working for a living; They're the waiters and busboys, mechanics, bus and streetcar drivers, all the people who make the city run. Rents in the city have been sent through the roof by greedy landlords and HUD's decision to raise Section 8 vouchers to rents appropriate to completely different parts of the country.

The Federal Government has been paying high rents for FEMA employees as well. Right after Katrina long term excellent tenants were tossed out right and left so the rents could be raised and people from out of town who don't know they're being ripped off by local standards could move right in to unflooded areas. It's sickening to hear people brag about doing this, but they do.

Wages here don't support these absurd rents. Some rise after renovation post flood is normal, but 100%, 200% jack ups on rentals is insane. My old $600 a month apartment is now $2000. I'm living in my mom's basement.

So people live in their cars or buy camping equipment. Or now that the police are harrassing homeless like never before- squatting.

]]> By: Kellie Reese http://siu.blogs.cnn.com/2008/09/01/homeless-in-new-orleans-use-abandoned-homes-for-shelter/#comment-750 Kellie Reese Mon, 15 Sep 2008 04:22:56 +0000 http://cnnsiu.wordpress.com/?p=203#comment-750 Abbie, it's about time someone from the media told the true story of what is going on in New Orleans since Hurricane Katrina. I was there in May on a Mission Trip, and I was shocked by many things - one of which was the number of people living in Tent City below the overpass because they have no home. We fixed sack lunches and walked through Tent City one day hand delivering the lunches to the people. This is something I will never forget as long as I live. Congratulations to you for covering this unpleasantry when many just overlook the myriad of problems that still exist in New Orleans. I could go on the on . . . The New Orleans Mission Trip was definitely a life-changing experience for me, and I plan to go back in May of 2009. Abbie, it's about time someone from the media told the true story of what is going on in New Orleans since Hurricane Katrina. I was there in May on a Mission Trip, and I was shocked by many things – one of which was the number of people living in Tent City below the overpass because they have no home. We fixed sack lunches and walked through Tent City one day hand delivering the lunches to the people. This is something I will never forget as long as I live. Congratulations to you for covering this unpleasantry when many just overlook the myriad of problems that still exist in New Orleans. I could go on the on . . . The New Orleans Mission Trip was definitely a life-changing experience for me, and I plan to go back in May of 2009.

]]> By: des smart http://siu.blogs.cnn.com/2008/09/01/homeless-in-new-orleans-use-abandoned-homes-for-shelter/#comment-43 des smart Tue, 02 Sep 2008 00:27:20 +0000 http://cnnsiu.wordpress.com/?p=203#comment-43 Thanks Abbie for continuing to care about the people under the radar. Thanks Abbie for continuing to care about the people under the radar.

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