Effort to Relocate Homeless Comes Amid Super Bowl and Mardi Gras Preparations
As New Orleans prepares for the upcoming Super Bowl and Mardi Gras festivities, Louisiana officials have intensified efforts to move homeless individuals out of the city’s downtown area. On a frigid morning this week, Louisiana State Police officers visited a homeless encampment beneath an overpass in the heart of New Orleans, instructing residents to pack their belongings and board buses that would take them to temporary accommodations. The relocation, which forms part of a broader strategy to clear downtown areas, aims to remove homeless individuals from public view ahead of the busy tourist season.
This measure follows the aftermath of the New Year’s Day attack on Bourbon Street, which led to increased security measures across the city. Governor Jeff Landry, utilizing an emergency order issued after the attack, emphasized that the move was necessary to ensure the safety and security of both visitors and residents during the high-profile events. “It is in the best interest of every citizen’s safety and security to give the unhoused humane and safe shelter as we begin to welcome the world to the city of New Orleans,” Landry stated.
Relocation Plan Faces Criticism from Advocates and City Leaders
The state’s relocation plan, which involves moving displaced individuals to a warehouse facility on the outskirts of New Orleans, has sparked controversy. While the temporary accommodations offer amenities such as meals, security, and recreational facilities, some critics argue that the initiative disrupts ongoing efforts to help people transition to permanent housing. This includes the city’s initiative to house 1,500 homeless individuals by the end of the year, with 822 already successfully placed.
Angela Owczarek, a member of the New Orleans Homeless and Houseless Advocacy, Research and Rights Monitoring group, expressed concerns about the impact of these mass relocations. She criticized the decision to prioritize the visibility of homeless individuals during large events over their well-being, stating, “I think it shows that we would accept a lot of harm to unhoused people as the price to pay so they’re not visible during these big events.”
Despite such concerns, state officials defended the program, which is projected to cost at least $11 million and will remain in effect through Mardi Gras. The plan aims to provide displaced individuals with a “hub of resources” at the new facility, which includes provisions for pets and transport to appointments. However, not all homeless individuals have embraced the proposal.
Homeless Individuals Share Mixed Reactions to Relocation
The relocation process has generated a range of reactions from those affected. Ronald Lewis, a 65-year-old homeless man, expressed his frustration with the removal, stating that the offered accommodations sounded too much like a prison. “I don’t like it, period,” Lewis said as he stood with his cart of belongings. “You’re kicking me out of my comfort zone.” Others, like Christopher Aylwen, described their experiences of being forcibly moved to the new facility, where they faced long waits and concerns about the conditions.
Some residents of the new warehouse facility, known as the Transitional Center, were told that they could not come and go freely, with a 9 p.m. curfew in place. State officials later clarified that the stay at the center was voluntary and that there were no movement restrictions. However, the cold, sparse conditions and the uncertainty surrounding the future have left many still skeptical of the program’s effectiveness.
While some, like Erica Dudley, are cautiously hopeful that the disruption will lead to improved conditions, the overall sentiment among those relocated remains mixed. “We really need the help,” Dudley said, as she navigated the uncertainty with her husband. Whether the temporary relocation will offer long-term benefits for New Orleans’ homeless population remains to be seen.
