Our mission is to transform unjust housing policies, discriminatory practices, and inequitable development schemes by engaging in strategies that create permanently affordable housing, advance tenant rights, expand housing security, and uphold equitable housing patterns and land use planning.
We hope you all had a joyful and exciting Carnival. Now that the real “New Year” is here, let’s get to work to protect our city and its residents from displacement. Homes for people, not for profits!
What’s Happening this Spring? Let’s Look at the Past
In order to understand what may be happening, we have to look at what has transpired over the last few months. This past fall provided us some perspectives. Our city elected a new mayor, Helena Moreno, new at-large City councilmember (Matthew Willard), and the most notable supporter of affordable housing on City Council, Lesli Harris, ran unopposed. Residents also voted to support bonds geared towards affordable housing. Former councilmember Joe Giarrusso is now the chief administrative officer (CAO) of the City and is in control of shaping the City’s budget from the executive branch side of our municipal government. We also have new City councilmembers in districts A (Aimee McCarron) and E (Jason Hughes).
The City Planning Commission finally discussed and voted on the Transient Lodging Study this past January. The City also approved a budget that led to decreases in spending in various areas.
What We’re Anticipating
We have seen drastic cuts to Right to Counsel, youth programs, and other areas impacting the general public. We encourage you to go to the Committee for a Better New Orleans website (cbno.org) and learn more about the horrors of this year’s budget process.
Next: We ask you to email our City councilmembers to share your perspective on why Right to Counsel funding should be restored back to the original $2 million and to once again fund the rental assistance fund. We understand that this money originally came from the federal government, but it’s about time that we use some of our almost $1 billion City budget on $15 million to help out our residents. Consider this your March(ing) tasks.
Here are your City councilmembers’ email addresses and phone numbers. Confirm your district councilmember at nola.gov/council-maps. When emailing them, please also include their chiefs of staff and neighborhood or community liaisons (you can find their email addresses on the individual pages of each councilmember at council.nola.gov/councilmembers). Be polite and talk about your concerns. Mass emails to all councilmembers will go unanswered.
District A
Aimee McCarron
Aimee.McCarron@nola.gov
504-658-1010
District B
Lesli Harris
Lesli.Harris@nola.gov
504-658-1020
District C
Freddie King III
Freddie.King@nola.gov
504-658-1030
District D
Eugene Green
Eugene.Green@nola.gov
504-658-1040
District E
Jason Hughes
Jason.Hughes@nola.gov
504-658-1050
At-Large (citywide)
Matthew Willard
Matthew.Willard@nola.gov
504-658-1060
At-Large (citywide)
JP Morrell
JP.Morrell@nola.gov
504-658-1070
City Council meetings are listed at the following site: council.nola.gov/meetings. Remember, every time you buy something or whether you’re a renter or homeowner, you are paying into the system! You deserve to know what’s going on. Your voice matters more than the lobbyists seeking to gentrify and shape our city into a museum for tourists.
Eviction Updates: Go! To! Court!
If an eviction is filed against you, whether or not you attend your eviction hearing will likely decide your case. Once again, this past month, we saw many cases end in formal eviction rulings because the tenant facing eviction didn’t come to court. In one day’s court session Downtown, over 50% of cases ended this way. An eviction hearing with no tenant present is often decided in under 10 seconds, but the resulting formal eviction decision will remain on the tenant’s rental and credit histories long-term. Even if you have already moved out, go to court and tell the judge so your case can be dismissed and not affect you long-term.
As a reminder: In Orleans Parish Eviction Court, you can access free legal representation regardless of your income or citizenship status under the Right to Counsel Program. At your court date, find Southeast Louisiana Legal Services’ (SLLS) Eviction Help Desk (right outside the courtroom). Want help before court? Call SLLS at 504-529-1000, extension 223. Leave a message, they’ll call back. If you’re having other housing issues, call Jane Place’s Renters’ Rights Hotline at 504-539-4504. We also organize a renters’ rights clinic during the monthly Renters’ Rights Assembly every first Thursday of the month.
Upcoming Fun Events, Workshops, and How to Connect
Wanna get involved? Get informed? Join us at these events!
New Orleans Renters’ Rights Assembly (and Renters’ Rights Clinic)
Thursday 3/5
6 to 8 p.m.
First Grace UMC (entrance through back parking lot)
3401 Canal St. 70119
Know Your Rights, Know Your Power: Renters’ Rights Workshop
Thursday 3/26
6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
Jane Place’s Office
200 S. Broad Street (entrance through parking lot off of Cleveland)
Better New Orleans Block Party
(from the Committee for a Better New Orleans)
Saturday 3/28
1 p.m. to 6 p.m.
1200-1400 blocks of St. Roch Ave.
For more information, go to jpnsi.org, email frank@jpnsi.org, or text UPDATES to 504-517-5470 with your name and the event you have interest in.
