Article by Stacy E. Seicshnaydre
It is tempting to view Hurricane Katrina as the singular force behind the current affordable housing crisis in the greater New Orleans area. But other enduring forces are at work. Much like in the early days of affordable housing development, we confront a false dichotomy that would have us choose between affordable housing supplied on a segregated basis or none at all. In other words, we may reopen public housing exactly as it existed before the storm or adopt a redevelopment agenda that would be focused primarily on blight removal and result in a drastic reduction in the number of affordable units available to low-income people. We must reject the false dichotomy and embrace a just public housing policy—one that would be resident conscious, be focused on one-for-one replacement, promote inclusionary zoning, and include both project-based replacement as well as vouchers.
About the Author
Stacy E. Seicshnaydre. William K. Christovich Professor of Law and Robert A. Ainsworth Professor in the Courts and the Federal System, Associate Dean of Experiential Learning and Public Interest Programs, Tulane University School of Law.
Citation
81 Tul. L. Rev. 1263 (2007)