Housing advocates voice concerns over New Orleans' Section 8 waitlist process

In light of the continuing affordable housing crisis in the New Orleans-area, housing advocates are expressing deep concern over how residents are being notified about the Section 8 wait list.



The Greater New Orleans Fair Housing Action Center issued a statement today expressing "grave concerns" about the process by which the Housing Authority of New Orleans plans to open the Section 8 wait list, which will open for applicants for the first time in six years between Sept. 6 and Sept. 12.

According to GNOFHAC, HANO has only advertised in two local papers. Housing advocates say that this lack of advertising will be a huge barrier to low-income residents finding out about the application process.

Because many low-income residents don't subscribe to the Times Picayune and don't have internet access, GNOFHAC is urging HANO to conduct TV and radio advertising to give the public adequate notice that the wait list will be open. Additionally HANO should keep the wait list open for a minimum of 30 days rather than a mere six days. Finally, HANO should accept voucher applications that it received as early as August 23rd, because its public notice regarding the wait list opening has been confusing and misleading.

Low-income residents in New Orleans struggle daily to pay the skyrocketing costs of post-Katrina rents. Having access to housing programs like Section 8 is key to many working families being able to afford live in the region, housing advocates say.