HUD seeks to demolish housing projects in New Orleans

It's gotten rough in New Orleans:

From CBC:

"Police in New Orleans used chemical spray and stun guns Thursday as dozens of protesters tried to force their way into a packed city council chamber during a debate on the planned demolition of some 4,500 public housing units.

One woman was sprayed with chemicals and dragged from the gates."

For more context look here:

"In New Orleans, protests have been taking place for weeks to block the demolition of 4,500 units of public housing. Jacquie Soohen and Rick Rowley of Big Noise Films file a report from the streets of New Orleans." (democracynow.org)

Also, taken from democracynow:

"JACQUIE SOOHEN: The homeless population of New Orleans has doubled since the storm. Every night, over 12,000 New Orleanians sleep under bridges and crowd into the city’s parks. Hundreds pitch their tents and blankets in this plaza in front of City Hall within sight of the mayor’s office. According to UNITY, a charity that is working with the city to relocate the plaza’s homeless, at least a third of the homeless here work steady jobs. ....

Demolitions in the four largest housing developments were slated to begin on December 15th, but a combination of political pressure and legal action won a temporary reprieve.

Now, the fate of New Orleans public housing lies in the hands of the city council. They’re scheduled to make their decision this Thursday."

And again from CBC:

"Later Thursday, New Orleans City Council voted unanimously in favour of tearing down 4,500 public housing units. The vote will permit the federal government to begin demolishing four public housing developments."

Very bad news. Again, CBC:

"The city council vote was a critical moment in a protracted fight between the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and residents, activists and preservationists.

HUD wants to demolish the buildings, most of them damaged by Hurricane Katrina, so developers can take advantage of tax credits and build new mixed-income neighbourhoods."