Houston We have a Problem : Fewer Than Half of Evacuees Want to Back Go Home

Washington Post ^ | 9/16/2005 | Richard Morin and Lisa Rein

[SirLinksalot]

Some of the Uprooted Won't Go Home Again

By Richard Morin and Lisa Rein

Friday, September 16, 2005;

HOUSTON, Sept. 15 -- Fewer than half of all New Orleans evacuees living in emergency shelters here said they will move back home, while two-thirds of those who want to relocate planned to settle permanently in the Houston area, according to a survey by The Washington Post, the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation and the Harvard School of Public Health. The wide-ranging poll found that these survivors of Hurricane Katrina and its aftermath remain physically and emotionally battered but unbroken.

They praised God and the U.S. Coast Guard for saving them, but two weeks after the storm, nearly half still sought word about missing loved ones or close friends who may not have been as lucky. Most already know they have no home left to return to. The overwhelming majority lack insurance to cover their losses. Few have bank checking accounts, savings accounts or credit cards that work.

Still, nearly nine in 10 said they were "hopeful" about the future. And while half said they felt depressed about what lies ahead, just a third said they were afraid.

SNIP SNIP

The poll vividly documents the immediate and dramatic changes that Hurricane Katrina has brought to two major American cities. It also suggests that what may be occurring is a massive -- and, perhaps, permanent -- transfer of a block of poor people from one city to another. That may have social, economic and political consequences that will be felt for decades, if not generations, in both communities. Forty-three percent of these evacuees planned to return to New Orleans, the survey found. But just as many -- 44 percent -- said they will settle somewhere else, while the remainder were unsure.

[SirLinksalot]

The question to ask then is this -- if they stay on Houston, will they become wards of the state, New Orleans style, or are they going to learn self-reliance (Texas style) ?

[mosquitobite]

I can only pray this is God's way of helping them learn self reliance...

[mosquitobite]

The other question that comes up, if these people don't move back to NOLA, does that mean less rebuilding there? Who will answer these questions?

[highlymotivated]

Ah, the joys of welfare, the gift that keeps on giving.

[Mr. Jeeves]

Eventually, Blanco and Nagin will gett Jesse Jackson to demand that Rick Perry forcibly deport them back to New Orleans. They need their voting base back before the next election. ;)

[CharlesWayneCT]

It seems unlikely to me that Texas is going to adjust its attitude. So I'm guessing the evacuees will.

This has got to be the democrats worst nightmare -- their loyal constituents being shown what true freedom is all about.

It's like when the soviet union couldn't keep the truth from its citizens anymore.

[LibWhacker]

I wouldn't worry about it; after Nawlins is rebuilt, they'll wanna go back when they see how many nice new things there are to steal.

[Patti_ORiley]

It only reinforces the old maxim -- no good deed shall go unpunished.

[billygoatgruff]

And all the criminals and drug addicts we get to keep too! Mayor Nagin proudly spoke last night that NO no longer had any criminals and drug addicts and he wanted to keep it that way. Apparently he has not invited them back to his New New Orleans, we get ta keep em in Dallas, Houston and San Antonio!

He let all of them out of jail so they could hop on a bus Gus, get out of town clown.)

[dfwgator]

But think about it. Texas has many more electoral votes than Louisiana. If anything, they should be encouraging more of them to move to Texas. (Oops, I hope they didn't read this post)

[MattinNJ]

Do you think that the number of refugees (democrats) will cost us Texas in 2008?

[hoosiermama]

or are they going to learn self-reliance (Texas style) ?I'll bet on Texas! Been told it's contagious!

[MineralMan]

"The other question that comes up, if these people don't move back to NOLA, does that mean less rebuilding there? Who will answer these questions?"

---

Too early to say, really. Most of the evacuees probably aren't homeowners, so they can't go back anyhow. The homeowners mostly evacuated before the storm. They're scattered, so it's impossible to get a handle on whether they'll return eventually.

I suspect that the population of NOLA is going to be reduced, even after the rebuilding takes place. It's still way too early to figure out what NOLA's going to be like.

In many parishes, all the homes will be bulldozed. Flooding like that permanently damages houses, so before any rebuilding can happen, the old houses have to be taken away.

Then there's the insurance question. For a lot of folks, their homes are going to be dead losses. Unless they had flood insurance, they're not going to get a dime from insurance.

Beyond that, most of these homes were probably mortgaged up to the hilt. Where they were properly insured, they'll get rebuilt, but it may be the bank that does the job, since lots of people will simply walk away and let the bank repossess the property.

I think greater NOLA is going to look a lot different than before.

[Clemenza]

Ray Nagin pulled a Castro on Texas. The "refugees" are the new Marielitos.

[rlmorel]

Anyone forsee this? Anyone? Anyone?

Well, the good people who have been displaced will help the communities they stay in. The bad will hurt. Thus it has always been.

I hope the groups that opened up their homes and communities don't come to regret it, that would be an unfortunate reward for their generosity.

[Roux]

Jeeves,

They'll still vote. After all my Grandparents buried in Lafayette Cemetary in NOLA have voted for years.

[You Dirty Rats]

They'll need lots of labor to service tourism and do construction and repair. I predict that we'll see a large Mexican population in New Orleans within two years.

[mlbford2]

I'm leaving in 6months. Moving to the great liberal city of Austin. They don't want the evacuees. Go figure. Good luck friends.

[hoosiermama]

70% of the people living in NOLA rented (can't find the percentage that got their rent paid through HUD)...Moon Laandrieu was head of HUD under the Carter administration....William Jefferson (a slum lord/politician) is being investigated (Yes the same that kept a freezer full of money...Can you say IRS?)....Hopefully NOLA will not only LOOK alot different, but the HUD scams will be no more....

IMO We may end up saving money with "W" plan! ;^)

[Racehorse]

Do you think that the number of refugees (democrats) will cost us Texas in 2008?

No.

More likely they will remember it was a Democratic Louisiana that failed them, and a Republican Texas that gave them a chance to start over.