NEW ORLEANS — Louisiana State Police began clearing a homeless encampment near the Greyhound bus terminal on Wednesday ahead of Taylor Swift's concerts.
City officials strongly opposed the move saying this disrupts their efforts to re-home these individuals.
The encampment is being moved a couple of blocks away. About 75 individuals were living at the location.
The city and several agencies have been working to house residents in the last year.
New Orleans City Councilmember Leslie Harris said that the residents were set to be housed in a matter of weeks.
"I am beyond disappointed that this is the way the State is getting involved, rather than partnering in the City’s efforts to house people through Home For Good. People’s livelihood is more important than a concert. I will continue working with our Office of Homeless Services and Strategy, Health Department, and homeless providers to make meaningful improvements in New Orleanians’ housing," Harris said on X, formerly known as Twitter.
On Tuesday, city leaders held a press conference criticizing the decision to clear the city's largest remaining homeless encampment ahead of Taylor Swift's 3-night takeover at the Superdome.
New Orleans Director of Homeless Services and Strategy, Nate Fields, called out Governor Jeff Landry's administration for directing his office to move unhoused individuals from the encampment near Calliope and Loyola two blocks south by Thursday.
In a statement to our partners at the Times-Picayune New Orleans Advocate, Governor Landry's Spokesperson, Kate Kelly, said the No. 1 issue facing New Orleans is the homelessness crisis.
“Gov. Landry understands the No. 1 issue facing the city of New Orleans right now is the homelessness crisis, and he is working with LSP and local officials to fix this problem," Kelly said, "As we prepare for the city to host Taylor Swift and Super Bowl LIX, we are committed to ensuring New Orleans puts its best foot forward when on the world stage."
[WATCH] New Orleans councilmember Leslie Harris on issues moving homeless encampment
One local resident, who lives nearby on South Rampart Street, told WWL Louisiana since the city closed the homeless encampment at Tchoupitoulas Street, the Calliope encampment has grown out of hand exponentially and it's not sustainable.
"I'm concerned about what's going to happen to the people, but then again I've observed what's going on here and know it has to change," said Andy Levin. "We need a long-term solution, this is not. But temporarily this camp had to be broken up."
Levin further explained what he feels are the biggest problems associated with the encampment.
"When you have this large a concentration of people who are addicted to drugs and mentally ill, they go into the neighborhood. You find them defecating there, doing drugs, having sex, there is a man over there urinating right now. It's unstainable...and moving these people from the point of view of the community of Central City is necessary."
[WATCH] Local resident on moving homeless encampment prior to Taylor Swift concerts
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