NEW ORLEANS — Since October, 76 people once living on the streets have been given a roof over their heads.
“By all measures, I consider it to be a success,” Council Member Eugene Green said.
Two weeks after residents in Tremé raised concerns, the city gave an update on a nearby homeless encampment. On Monday, officials said eleven more people had been moved into homes, but dozens remain. They hope to have it cleared by February 9.
In Monday’s meeting, the Department of Homeless Services announced they have enough funding to house 1,500 people. However, that won’t fix the issue instantaneously because the process is more complicated than finding a place to stay.
“I’m not going to get up here and tell you it's as robust as we wanted it to be,” One city official said. “We are limited by access to sanitation and NOPD and our partners.”
Some city officials say it is a complex issue, but things are moving in the right direction.
“It’s not just something we’re going to abandon. We’re looking to get those people with issues, to help them long term,” Green said.
Others are still skeptical, wondering how this plan will work long term. Homeless Services Director Nathaniel Fields says sustainability is one of his priorities, and it’s still a work in progress.
“We’re doing things a lot differently,” Fields said. “The plan will outlive everyone in this room.”
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