Looking at three of the four witnesses - David Garratt, FEMA’s acting deputy administrator; Fred Tombar, HUD’s advisor for disaster and recovery program; and Paul Rainwater, director of the Louisiana Recovery Authority (LRA) – Chairwoman Eleanor Holmes Norton declared, “Gentlemen, you all have failed. The only man in this room who has succeeded is Rev. Jenkins.”
This is a paraphrase of a stunning statement by Chairwoman Norton. It was an affirmation of the past years of sacrificial work of our staff, the volunteers from around the country, the support from Episcopal Relief & Development and individuals, and all those who have held us up in prayer.
The invitation to appear before the House of Representatives Committee which has oversight of FEMA, HUD, and in some sense I do not yet understand, the LRA (Louisiana Recovery Authority) was not one that I could pass up. Since the House had unexpectedly adjourned the night before, there were but two members present. There needed to be only one, Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton. I must admit to some disappointment that my own congressman, “Joseph” Cao of the Second District of Louisiana was not present since he is a member of this committee and since this hearing had much to do with the actions of FEMA, HUD, and the LRA in the recovery in our state. I need to ask him why he was not there to stand up for the people of his district.
Chairwoman Norton grilled the agency representatives (including Paul Rainwater) insisting upon a solution to the problems along the Gulf Coast. Her staff had carefully digested the written testimony I offered and she seemed prepared to look beyond the volumes of figures and data offered to get to the real problem, how do we help people!
Several things must happen quickly or there will be hell to pay. First, HUD must list the ‘thousands’ of affordable housing units that are empty in Orleans parish. The addresses must be supplied. We are going to check these out because when I stood against the destruction of the Federal Housing in New Orleans, HANO said they had other houses. Some checking was done and in some cases the addresses did not exist. I do not think there is an abundance of affordable housing in New Orleans. I do not think folks living in trailers have been given three affordable housing options and refused them all.
Second, FEMA told the Congresswoman there would be no evictions anytime soon. In particular, she pressed and pressed hard on why we would evict people from worthless trailers sitting on their own property whilst they were repairing their houses! FEMA reckons there are 1894 such people in Louisiana alone! This is a boost to the American economy, cried the Chairwoman. They promised that even after the looming deadline, it would be months before they evicted anyone. If you know of anyone evicted please get information (and photos if you can) to Shakoor Aljuwani.
Third, I think we are going to see some Katrina Cottages built right soon. She could not believe that we have only one Katrina Cottage in the state of Louisiana. Look for action here.
Fourth, Case Management using the current model sparingly and unevenly deployed by the state and the feds is unacceptable. I must tell you, from my experience on the street, there is no case management happening at all for Katrina and Rita folks in Louisiana. If there is something going on, please help me find it. The Chairwoman asked me what Case Management was needed to help people stand on their own and told them what the Diocese does (with the generous help of ERD). She said that was the smartest thing she heard all day!
Our model is the Anthony Johnson model (named for our own head of case management) which does not put a time limit on help nor does it limit the number of visits. Whereas the other models limit contact Anthony’s does not. We do not simply pass out a bunch of phone numbers, that does not work. Our Case Managers walk with folks, drive them when necessary, and know them by name. I asked that the Catch 22 model that always catches the poorest and neediest be abandoned.
Certainly the Stafford Act cannot not be used to solve the social ills in south Louisiana. Our folks need to understand that if you are offered three houses and refuse, you are own your own.
Finally, Chairwoman Norton established a special panel of representatives from FEMA, HUD, and the LRA to come up with a quick plan to end the emergency measures in Louisiana. It is a noble goal. I was not invited to be part of that planning but I think Paul Rainwater is going to try to get us in. Perhaps our participation will be limited but someone needs to be there to stand for the people. I think the faith-based folks and not for profits have earned a seat at the table.
I think I was heard when I suggested that the government can set eviction dates and end of program dates until the end of time. These do not motivate those who cannot move. Congresswoman Norton asked if we refused to move. I assured her our steadfastness was not a refusal but was based on inability. She got the message.
I am grateful indeed to Nell Bolton, Dr. Courtney Cowart and Shakoor B. (that is, Barnabas) Aljuwani for their hard work, encouragement, and assistance. I think they will write reflections as well. Finally, I am grateful to the benefactor who made possible our travel to Washington.