UNITY for the Homeless
Temporary Address:
SLU 12822, Southeastern Louisiana University
Hammond, Louisiana 70402
Phone: 985-549-5341; Fax: 985-549-5357
Contact: Martha Kegel, Executive Director. Office: 985-549-5351 Cellular Phone: 504-952-3348
Contact: David Bresnahan. Cellular Phone: 813-760-5766
Email:
Web:
FOR RELEASE
October 31, 2005
BRING NEW ORLEANS HOME
NEW ORLEANS – UNITY for the Homeless called on the Mayor’s Bring New Orleans Back Commission Monday to develop plans to guarantee the right of return for all New Orleanians regardless of socio-economic status, race, disability or age. UNITY is committed to bring New Orleans back and bring New Orleans home.
“UNITY is not satisfied that the city has a sufficient plan in place to assure all people will have the right and the wherewithal to return home,” said David Bresnahan speaking to Commissioners Monday.
UNITY calls on each level of government – including the city of New Orleans -- to take all necessary steps to ensure that all people have the means to return, through:
1)the provision of outreach and ongoing individual contact with all displaced persons;
2)the provision of transportation and financial assistance to bring everyone home unless they desire to permanently relocate elsewhere;
Comprehensive plans should include coordination with non-profit and governmental social service agencies that have expertise in assisting low-income people. The commission and the city of New Orleans must advocate for resources from all levels of government – and the private sector though a Florida-like Hurricane Relief Fund – to assure that people are given the opportunity to come home and have access to necessary social services.
UNITY, founded in 1992, is a consortium of 70 non-profit homeless housing and service providers in New Orleans and Jefferson parish. UNITY’s mission is now not only to advocate for those in our community who were homeless prior to Katrina, but now to represents all low-income people who have lost their homes in New Orleans and Jefferson Parish. UNITY advocates on behalf of the most vulnerable populations in the New Orleans, particularly low-income and disabled people.