New Orleans Begins Moving Tenants From Oakmont Apartments

New Orleans LA

29 April, 2022

1:20 PM

Description

Press release from the City of New Orleans: April 26, 2022 NEW ORLEANS — The City of New Orleans today announced that it has partnered with stakeholder organizations to relocate residents of Oakmont Apartments to transitional housing due to the unsuitable and hazardous conditions. The Mayor's Office of Housing Policy and Community Development will begin moving tenants on April 28. "The conditions of the Oakmont Apartments have become unsafe and unsanitary for residents due to the owner's neglect and lack of concern for his tenants," said Mayor LaToya Cantrell. "My administration has organized a team of stakeholders which includes the Louisiana Housing Corporation, Unity of Greater New Orleans, Housing Authority of New Orleans, Southeast Louisiana Legal Services, and Technical Assistance Collaborative to adequately address the housing issues of the property. It is imperative that we address this problem head-on and relocate the tenants to safe, alternative housing immediately." Oakmont Apartments owner, Joshua Bruno, filed for bankruptcy in January on five low-income housing developments in New Orleans that include Oakmont, Cypress Park, Forest Park, Liberty Park and Washington Place. All five properties have been neglected, with Oakmont identified as in the worst condition following a recent fire. In February, the City began offering tenants relocation assistance and providing past due rent payments of up to 12 months through the New Orleans Emergency Rental Assistance Program. The City is also working with residents to identify available affordable housing units as a part of the long-term relocation plan. "Through the City's relocation plan, tenants will have up to three months to find affordable housing units with the help of housing navigators, while the tenants reside in hotels. It is not the ideal situation, but it is a much better alternative to the current housing conditions at Oakmont Apartments. Once housing is identified, tenants will be re-assessed for assistance with future rent and moving expenses," said Director of the Mayor's Office of Housing Policy and Community Development Marjorianna Willman. The Oakmont tenants are expected to be relocated within the next two weeks. The complex will then be vacated and secured until the numerous code and safety violations are resolved. While funding is available, the City will continue to make available rental and relocation assistance to tenants currently living in substandard conditions. "We have been successful in soliciting relocation rental assistance funding from the state and the federal government due to our track record of getting these dollars in the hands of our residents in need," said Willman. "The U.S. Treasury Emergency Rental Assistance Program specifically targets renters who are at risk for homelessness and housing instability which applies to tenants living in substandard housing conditions. These funds provide us with a unique opportunity to immediately assist vulnerable households." This press release was produced by the City of New Orleans. The views expressed here are the author's own.