Date: 2007-03-20
Speaker: CORRINE BROWN (democrat)
Chamber: H
State: Florida

I want to thank both of you. I rise in support of 1-.R. 1227. the Gulf Coast Housing Recovery Act. I truly believe this bill is a tremendous victory for the Gulf Coast and those affected by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. I commend my colleague Congressman BARNEY FRANK. Congresswoman MAXINE WATERS and the other Members of the Committee on Financial Services for the fine job crafting this bill. I also rise in support of my amendment that would give Katrina public housing residents more time to return home. Eighteen months after Hurricane Katrina. more than 4.000 families have not returned to New Orieans because most public housing remains closed. Public housing residents want to return and rebuild their city and their lives. If Congress is serious about the slogan "Bring New Orleans Back." HUD and HANO must reopen public housing and make repairs. where necessary. Everyone should be permitted to returnnot just the rich. HUD and HANO have been doing everything they can to make sure public housing residents dont return. HUD planned to demolish 5.000 units with no clear plan or timeline for bringing back these families. These public housing developments are some of the most durable housing in New Orleans. Given the solid infrastructure of these buildings and the minor damage incurred. it is clear that renovation is more costeffective than demolition. Instead of families moving back into their affordable housing units to get back to work. and help rebuild their lives. their communities. and their city. HUD contributes to the dearth of affordable housing in New Orleans. and keeps these families displaced and scattered across the country with no hope of returning. HUD has dropped the ball on keeping contact with displaced families. At a February 22. 2007 field hearing in New Orleans for the House Committee on Financial Services. Subcommittee on Housing and Community Opportunity. Chairman C. Donald Babers of the Housing Authority of New Orleans (HANO) told the subcommittee that out of 978 residents they recently tried to contact. they only made contact with about 237 residents. Mr. Babers said that they were unable to reach about 740 residents. Given that HUD and HANO only one month ago could not reach over 75 percent of the displaced public housing residents. Congress must ensure that residents do not lose the opportunity to move back to their homes simply because HANO and HUD cannot find them in a timely manner. Residents want to come home to be closer to their families and neighbors. to return to jobs or get new jobs in the reconstruction industry. HUD reported in October 2006 that an estimated 6570 percent of families want to return to New Orleans. Congress must give these families every chance to come home. My amendment provides two deadlines of August 1. 2007 and October 1. 2007 for residents to declare their intent to return. The reoccupancy deadlines are October 1. 2007 and December 1. 2007. It also extends assistance to those who ask for help with early termination of leases. I urge my colleagues to adopt this amendment so that we can Bring New Orleans Back. Mr.. Chairman. I withdraw my amendment.