Activists and Residents Protest HUD Secretary's Arrival in New Orleans

Although 5,146 families were displaced from New Orleans public housing during the hurricanes of 2005, the New Orleans and federal housing authorities have taken few steps to repair the public housing units that could bring back the approximately 4,000 families that are still waiting to come home. The majority of these developments suffered little structural damage.

"It is no surprise that these traditionally neglected communities continue to be denied their rights 18 months later," said Jared Feuer, southern regional director for AIUSA. "New Orleans residents want to return home and participate in rebuilding their communities. It is time for the U.S. government to hear them -- and abide by the principles to which it holds other nations."

AIUSA urges the United States government to uphold its commitment to the United Nations Guiding Principles for Internally Displaced Persons. Principle 28 states that governments are required to "allow internally displaced persons to return voluntarily, in safety and with dignity, to their homes or places of habitual residence . . . Special efforts should be made to ensure the full participation of internally displaced persons in the planning and management of their return or resettlement and reintegration."

In the coming months AIUSA will launch a formal campaign to advocate for the reopening of public housing and the immediate right to return of all displaced residents.