The city of New Orleans will begin the process of relocating all of the remaining residents at the Oakmont Apartments in Algiers after the complex was determined to be unsuitable to live in due to hazardous living conditions.
The Mayor’s Office of Housing Policy and Community Development will begin moving tenants into transitional housing on April 28.
The city says the 336-unit complex is in bankruptcy and has fallen into such disrepair with mold, rodents, raw sewerage leaks, and a fire, that the tenants will now be relocated until the complex owner can address a list of code and safety violations.
“The conditions of the Oakmont Apartments have become unsafe and unsanitary for residents due to the owner’s neglect and lack of concern for his tenants,” said Mayor LaToya Cantrell. “My administration has organized a team of stakeholders which includes the Louisiana Housing Corporation, Unity of Greater New Orleans, Housing Authority of New Orleans, Southeast Louisiana Legal Services, and Technical Assistance Collaborative to adequately address the housing issues of the property. It is imperative that we address this problem head-on and relocate the tenants to safe, alternative housing immediately.”
Oakmont Apartments owner, Joshua Bruno, filed for bankruptcy in January on five low-income housing developments in New Orleans that include Oakmont, Cypress Park, Forest Park, Liberty Park and Washington Place. All five properties have been neglected, with Oakmont identified as in the worst condition following a recent fire says the city.
In February, the city began offering tenants relocation assistance and provided past due rent payments of up to 12 months through the New Orleans Emergency Rental Assistance Program.
The City is also working with residents to identify available affordable housing units as a part of the long-term relocation plan.
“Through the City’s relocation plan, tenants will have up to three months to find affordable housing units with the help of housing navigators, while the tenants reside in hotels. It is not the ideal situation, but it is a much better alternative to the current housing conditions at Oakmont Apartments. Once housing is identified, tenants will be re-assessed for assistance with future rent and moving expenses,” said Director of the Mayor’s Office of Housing Policy and Community Development Marjorianna Willman.