The cleanup of the homeless encampments in New Orleans has, so far, been successful starting with the rather large camp on Tchoupitoulas.
With more cleanup and rehousing for displaced individuals to come, the city and its partner, UNITY of Greater New Orleans, expects a very robust outcome for the undertaking.
“We’re hopeful that by the end of [2024] we will be at virtually no people living on the street,” says Martha Kegel, Executive Director of UNITY of Greater New Orleans.
Kegel says that as of now, the program uses funds from a state grant, however federal assistance is on the way.
“We have a big federal grant coming in January that’s going to provide rent assistance and case management for 420 people,” she said.
According to Director Kegel, each encampment had about fifty people in them and combined with those who are unsheltered and not in a camp, these resources could eradicate homelessness in the city.
“It’s important to remember that if we did not have the income that we have most of us would be homeless too,” said Kegel.
