HLS 23RS-1234 REENGROSSED
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 in the New Orleans metropolitan area
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 in the New Orleans
5 metropolitan area.
6 WHEREAS, there are currently multiple homeless encampments under the Interstate
710 overpasses in the New Orleans area; and
8 WHEREAS, there is a widespread shortage of affordable housing options; and
9 WHEREAS, the associated crime, including loitering, trespassing, and panhandling
10in the vicinity of the encampments is a matter of public concern; and
11 WHEREAS, public resources are expended cleaning up the increased trash
12accumulating in the areas of the encampments; and
13 WHEREAS, living conditions in the encampments present health concerns such as
14the spread of Covid and hepatitis, as well as the spread of fleas and lice; and
15 WHEREAS, unaddressed chronic mental health issues contribute to the number of
16people in the encampment; and
17 WHEREAS, other health concerns for those in the encampment are created by
18crowded living conditions, lack of proper hygiene, and lack of access to proper waste
19disposal options; and
20 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 discuss potential solutions and address the public safety
14concerns regarding homeless people in the New Orleans metropolitan area residing within
15interstate rights of way.
16 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Transportation shall consult
17with, and receive advice from, the following entities:
18 (1) The New Orleans Police Department.
19 (2) The Department of Public Health.
20 (3) Louisiana Balance of State Continuum of Care.
21 (4) The Department of Environmental Quality.
22 (5) The Louisiana State Police.
23 (6) The Housing and Urban Development's Continuum of Care.
24 (7) The Department of Veterans Affairs' Homeless Program.
25 (8) The New Orleans Office of Homeless Services and Strategy.
26 (9) The Housing Authority of New Orleans.
27 (10) UNITY of Greater New Orleans.
28 (11) The Covenant House New Orleans.
29 (12) Travelers Aid Society of Greater New Orleans.
30 (13) New Orleans & Company.
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1 (14) The New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center.
2 (15) The Historic Faubourg Tremé Association.
3 (16) The Port of New Orleans.
4 (17) Odyssey House of Louisiana.
5 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Transportation and
6Development shall provide a written report of its progress to the president of the Louisiana
7Senate and the speaker of the Louisiana House of Representatives no later than March 1,
82024.
9 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the
10secretary 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 Reengrossed 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 discuss potential solutions and address the public safety concerns
regarding homeless people residing within the interstate rights of way. 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.
Summary of Amendments Adopted by House
The Committee Amendments Proposed by House Committee on Transportation,
Highways and Public Works to the original bill:
1. Remove the request that the Dept. of Transportation and Development and other
agencies and interest groups remove and prevent homeless people from residing
within interstate rights of way in the New Orleans metropolitan area and add that
they discuss potential solutions and address the public safety concerns regarding
homeless people residing within the interstate rights of way.
2. Add the Port of New Orleans to the entities the Dept. of Transportation and
Development must consult with relative to preventing the impact of
homelessness on interstate rights of way.
3. Remove the request that the Dept. of Transportation and Development take
necessary action to resolve the humanitarian concerns caused by the
encampments.
4. Remove the request that the department consider alternative housing for those
displaced people living in encampments.
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HCR NO. 73
The House Floor Amendments to the engrossed bill:
1. Clarify the resolution is applicable to the New Orleans metropolitan area.
2. Add Odyssey House of Louisiana to the list of entities with which the Dept. of
Transportation and Development is to consult relative to preventing the impact
of homelessness on interstate rights of way.
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