GNOFHAC EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR TESTIFIES BEFORE US CONGRESS ABOUT GULF COAST RECOVERY AND THE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT (CDBG) PROGRAM

On Thursday, May 8, 2008, GNOFHAC Executive Director James Perry testified before the House Committee on Financial Services’ Subcommittee on Housing and Community Development about the role of the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program in the rebuilding of the Gulf Coast after the 2005 hurricanes and the extent to which local and state governments have failed to use this funding in a way that affirmatively furthers fair housing. Under Title 1 of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974, the US Department of Housing and Urban Development provides CDBG funding to cities and counties in order to “carry out a wide range of community development activities directed toward revitalizing neighborhoods, economic development, and providing improved community facilities and services.” Since the 2005 storms, HUD has provided over $16 billion in CDBG funds to affected areas which have funded a myriad of rebuilding programs, including the Road Home program.

5-6-08: Read the press release here.

5-8-08: Read James Perry's testimony here.

5-8-08: Listen audio from the testimony here.

5-8-08: Read Ariella Cohen's brief on the testimony in City Business here.

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GNOFHAC HOMEOWNERSHIP COUNSELOR TESTIFIES BEFORE STATE SENATE COMMITTEE

The LA Senate Committee on Local and Municipal Affairs unanimously approved SB 740, the Road Home Bill of Rights, sponsored by Senator Derrick Shepherd today. GNOFHAC Hurricane Relief Specialist, Seth Weingart, testified in support of the bill, as did Melanie Ehrlich of CHAT.

5-8-08: Read Seth Weingart's testimony here.

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GNOFHAC SETTLES LAWSUIT AGAINST ST. BERNARD PARISH

On February 28, 2008, the Greater New Orleans Fair Housing Action Center announced the settlement of its lawsuit against St. Bernard Parish regarding a discriminatory local ordinance. St. Bernard Parish has agreed to pay a $32,500 settlement over a 2006 ordinance, since repealed, that restricted the rental of a home to blood relatives of the owner. GNOFHAC alleged that the ordinance was racially discriminatory, since white individuals own 93% of all owner-occupied housing in St. Bernard Parish, and make up approximately 88% of the Parish's population.

2-28-08: Read GNO Fair Housing's press release here.

2-29-08: Read the Times Picayune article on the settlement here.

2-29-08: Read Jarvis DeBerry's opinion from the Times Picayune here.

3-1-08: Read the Times Picayune editorial here.