New Orleans Again...and Again

I'm back from New Orleans and trying to compile my impressions and information into some type of reasonably coherent and accurate portrayal of the city today. It is impossible to fully communicate something like this but on the other hand, I hope I haven't done a disservice.

I believe this time I have seen the city as it is likely to be for many years to come. Last April, stores had banners proclaiming their return to business - "Now Open," "Back in Business,"...but not all. Now, the signs are gone, it is business as usual. Those that were going to reopen have, and still there are empty storefronts. Some services such as dry cleaners are scarce or non-existent in areas.

This seems to reflect the state of the city over all. Figures vary but somewhere around 25-35% of residents have not returned, and are not likely to. The gap of their departure will no doubt be slowly filled over the years but it will take time. This means there will be occupied homes in blocks next to large groups of abandoned homes. The city has made gestures toward leveling abandoned homes but I have to wonder if they will follow through on the scale needed other then to allow developers to take over targeted neighborhoods.

The political corruption, special interest, and sheer ineptness seriously impede return to normalcy. There have been 186,000 applications for Road Home Funds. These funds are designed to assist homeowners in rebuilding, relocating - or still trying to decide. Only 20,000 have received assistance. Many were rejected to do paperwork filing problems - yes, assistance was available but people didn't know that they didn't know how to complete the applications. Maybe the new governor of Lousiana can improve things - many are hopeful.

Recent demographics, based on school enrollment, show that the largest number of residents to leave the city are those in the mid 30's to mid 40's. Older residents have returned and New Orleans is becoming an "in" place for young adults. Perhaps they will provide the necessary impetus to transform the city but there are serious blocks to purchasing a home there. First is the general state of the home buying industry and second is the very high insurance rates. This in the face of significant infra structure problems.

The problems are enormous, even without the corruption and self-interest. Crime is serious. Even though we stayed in a "good" neighborhood, we were cautioned not to walk alone. Often, gas stations close at 6 PM due to risk of robbery. Homes being newly built are scavenged for tools and copper. Air conditioning units are not being installed until the owner is occupying the home because thieves steal the motors for the copper wire - seriously damaging the system in the process. Never the less, we didn't really feel at risk.

So why did I go to rebuild and why do I plan to go again? Some reasons are difficult to express here. It is easy to say why build when there is the risk of another hurricane destroying the city? I think the best answer I can give is because it is their home. New Orleans has a very rich historical heritage that provides its citizens a unusual sense of community, a unique culture and savoir faire. Some residents trace back their New Orleans roots for generations and centuries.

I mentioned that many of the remaining citizens are older. Those were the folks we were helping during our trip. They had lived their entire lives in New Orleans. If they left, they would never be able to afford a home. With the help of Road Home Funds and the generosity of The New Orleans Episcopal Diocese, they could rebuild what they have, often I suspect a little better then before the hurricane.

We were rushing to complete one home so the couple could move out of their FEMA trailer before he died from stage four cancer, his wife would at least have a home. The other home belonged to a retired school teacher struggling with depression. She had lost a home 26 years ago due to flooding, this home was sitting on higher ground but still had a foot of water inside. Enough to require demolition and rebuild. New Orleans has been and still is there home.

The Episcopal program under which we worked is not associated with any government programs. The folks I described above received money from the church for the electrical/plumbing work on the understanding they would repay those funds once they received Road Home money. Last spring, when the diocese prepared their budget, they didn't anticipate having to pay for the electrical and plumbing (at least temporarily) and only allocated money toward the work volunteers do such as, drywall, flooring, hanging doors, windows, painting, etc. This budget was $6000 per house. Thus the funds were depleted faster then planned and fewer homes are being rebuilt right now. Some people have received their Road Home money and have repaid the Diocese, one owner felt so grateful that he wanted to pay much more then had been spent and had to be dissuaded (these are NOT wealthy people.)

One fear the Diocese has is that they will not get volunteers because people think they do not have the skills needed to rebuild. We met some very fine young adults (interns) - recently graduated from college that have volunteered months of time out of their careers. They came not knowing how to tile or any of the other skills, but quickly learned and can quickly train others. I saw a volunteer working that used a cane to get around and a woman in her 80's keeping the job site clean and organized. The volunteers were able to use them and I was surprised at how much they could contribute.

So why did I go and why will I return? Because these are simply people in need and I can help. It really has nothing to do with politics, New Orleans, or anything else.