HLS 23RS-1234 ORIGINAL
2023 Regular Session
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOL UTION NO. 73
BY REPRESENTATIVE KNOX
TRANSPORTATION DEPT: Urges and requests the Department of Transportation and
Development to work with other agencies and interest groups to take appropriate
action to remove and prevent homeless people from residing within interstate rights
of way
1 A CONCURRENT RESOL UTION
2To urge and request the Department of Transportation and Development to work with other
3 agencies and interest groups to take appropriate action to remove and prevent
4 homeless people from residing within interstate rights of way.
5 WHEREAS, there are currently multiple homeless encampments under the Interstate
610 overpasses in the New Orleans area; and
7 WHEREAS, there is a widespread shortage of affordable housing options; and
8 WHEREAS, the associated crime, including loitering, trespassing, and panhandling
9in the vicinity of the encampments is a matter of public concern; and
10 WHEREAS, public resources are expended cleaning up the increased trash
11accumulating in the areas of the encampments; and
12 WHEREAS, living conditions in the encampments present health concerns such as
13the spread of Covid and hepatitis, as well as the spread of fleas and lice; and
14 WHEREAS, unaddressed chronic mental health issues contribute to the number of
15people in the encampment; and
16 WHEREAS, other health concerns for those in the encampment are created by
17crowded living conditions, lack of proper hygiene, and lack of access to proper waste
18disposal options; and
19 WHEREAS, the risk of death associated with the encampment is elevated; and
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HCR NO. 73
1 WHEREAS, the encampments create fire hazards due to unsafe fires used for
2cooking and heating; and
3 WHEREAS, there are chronic public intoxication issues associated with the
4encampments; and
5 WHEREAS, the unseemly area of the encampments have a negative impact on
6tourism and on businesses in the area; and
7 WHEREAS, these encampments occupy public parking spaces and interfere with
8commerce in the area; and
9 WHEREAS, these encampments present a myriad of other real concerns to public
10safety.
11 THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby
12urge and request the Department of Transportation and Development work with other
13agencies and interest groups to remove and prevent homeless people from residing within
14interstate rights of way.
15 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Transportation shall consult
16with, and receive advice from, the following entities:
17 (1) The New Orleans Police Department.
18 (2) The Department of Public Health.
19 (3) Louisiana Balance of State Continuum of Care.
20 (4) The Department of Environmental Quality.
21 (5) The Louisiana State Police.
22 (6) The Housing and Urban Development's Continuum of Care.
23 (7) The Department of Veterans Affairs' Homeless Program.
24 (8) The New Orleans Office of Homeless Services and Strategy.
25 (9) The Housing Authority of New Orleans.
26 (10) UNITY of Greater New Orleans.
27 (11) The Covenant House New Orleans.
28 (12) Travelers Aid Society of Greater New Orleans.
29 (13) New Orleans & Company.
30 (14) The New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center.
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HCR NO. 73
1 (15) The Historic Faubourg Tremé Association.
2 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Transportation and
3Development shall take necessary action to resolve the humanitarian concerns caused by the
4encampments.
5 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the department shall consider alternative
6housing for those displaced people living in encampments.
7 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Transportation and
8Development shall provide a written report of its progress to the president of the Louisiana
9Senate and the speaker of the Louisiana House of Representatives no later than March 1,
102024.
11 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the
12secretary of the Department of Transportation and Development.
DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute
part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
HCR 73 Original 2023 Regular Session Knox
Urges and requests that the Dept. of Transportation and Development address the issue of
encampments under I-10 overpasses in the New Orleans area by working with other agencies
and interest groups to find housing for the displaced residents of the encampments. Requires
the Dept. of Transportation and Development to provide a written report of its progress to
the Senate and the House of Representatives by March 1, 2024.
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