O'Dell Helps HUD Secretary Break Ground for First Public Housing Units Since Hurricane Katrina

New Orleans, La. – General Douglas O'Dell, Federal Coordinator for Gulf Coast Rebuilding, today helped U.S. Secretary Housing and Urban Development, Steve Preston, and other local officials and stakeholders break ground for the new Columbia Citi Residences at Bayou District in New Orleans, calling it a sign of good rebuilding progress.

This multi-use facility in Orleans Parish will include 1,326 rental and homeownership units; 346 of the units will be used for public housing. The complex features the first public housing units to be built in New Orleans since Hurricane Katrina.

"There's a lot of progress in building and rebuilding the infrastructure in New Orleans and the greater metro area, but nothing is more thrilling than to see this housing complex get under way," said O'Dell. "We know families need places to live and this is a good start. But it's important to remember that the federal government cannot do it alone. It takes the good work and investment of the private sector, nonprofits and citizen leaders, who have done so much already to bring about rebuilding progress."

Steve Preston, U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development said, "This groundbreaking builds on a commitment HUD made to create communities that are inclusive, better and safer than what families had before. We promised you new housing, a new community, and a better life. This groundbreaking marks the start of fulfilling that promise."

President Bush and his Administration have laid a solid foundation for rebuilding New Orleans, the greater metropolitan area and the Gulf Coast with more than $126 billion in aid.

O'Dell added, "I hope as we watch this complex being built we all see it as a symbol of renewed hope for the comeback of the neighborhoods in New Orleans."

The Office of the Federal Coordinator for Gulf Coast Rebuilding has been engaged in facilitating and streamlining the recovery effort, providing key federal support and resources to state and local leaders, as well as reinforcing the federal government's commitment to the people of the Gulf Coast.

I'm not sure how many Freepers will be interested in this story - but it just struck me as odd that the government took the construction of HUD public housing as a sign of progress. (Well, maybe it shouldn't surprise me.)

“I hope as we watch this complex being built we all see it as a symbol of renewed hope for the comeback of the neighborhoods in New Orleans.”

Since when is building a housing project a symbol of hope?

I believe this new project should be known as “Desire #2!

3 posted on 12/14/2008 5:07:35 PM PST by Recon Dad (Marsoc Dad)

“Since when is building a housing project a symbol of hope?”

Since a Republican replaced “Cold Cash” in the house./SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS

4 posted on 12/14/2008 5:26:06 PM PST by A Strict Constructionist (The "Road to Surfdom", can it be reversed?)

Are they putting them on stilts?

5 posted on 12/14/2008 6:07:26 PM PST by Trteamer ( (Eat Meat, Wear Fur, Own Guns, FReep Leftists, Drive an SUV, Drill A.N.W.R., Drill the Gulf, Vote)

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