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2023 Regular Session
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOL UTION NO. 73
BY REPRESENTATIVE KNOX
A CONCURRENT RESOL UTION
To urge and request 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.
WHEREAS, there are currently multiple homeless encampments under the Interstate
10 overpasses in the New Orleans area; and
WHEREAS, there is a widespread shortage of affordable housing options; and
WHEREAS, the associated crime, including loitering, trespassing, and panhandling
in the vicinity of the encampments is a matter of public concern; and
WHEREAS, public resources are expended cleaning up the increased trash
accumulating in the areas of the encampments; and
WHEREAS, living conditions in the encampments present health concerns such as
the spread of Covid and hepatitis, as well as the spread of fleas and lice; and
WHEREAS, unaddressed chronic mental health issues contribute to the number of
people in the encampment; and
WHEREAS, other health concerns for those in the encampment are created by
crowded living conditions, lack of proper hygiene, and lack of access to proper waste
disposal options; and
WHEREAS, the risk of death associated with the encampment is elevated; and
WHEREAS, the encampments create fire hazards due to unsafe fires used for
cooking and heating; and
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WHEREAS, there are chronic public intoxication issues associated with the
encampments; and
WHEREAS, the unseemly area of the encampments have a negative impact on
tourism and on businesses in the area; and
WHEREAS, these encampments occupy public parking spaces and interfere with
commerce in the area; and
WHEREAS, these encampments present a myriad of other real concerns to public
safety.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby
urge and request the Department of Transportation and Development work with other
agencies and interest groups to discuss potential solutions and address the public safety
concerns regarding homeless people in the New Orleans metropolitan area residing within
interstate rights of way.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Transportation shall consult
with, and receive advice from, the following entities:
(1) The New Orleans Police Department.
(2) The New Orleans Health Department.
(3) Louisiana Balance of State Continuum of Care.
(4) The Department of Environmental Quality.
(5) The Louisiana State Police.
(6) The Housing and Urban Development's Continuum of Care.
(7) The Department of Veterans Affairs' Homeless Program.
(8) The New Orleans Office of Homeless Services and Strategy.
(9) The Housing Authority of New Orleans.
(10) UNITY of Greater New Orleans.
(11) The Covenant House New Orleans.
(12) Travelers Aid Society of Greater New Orleans.
(13) New Orleans & Company.
(14) The New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center.
(15) The Historic Faubourg Tremé Association.
(16) The Port of New Orleans.
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(17) Odyssey House of Louisiana.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Transportation and
Development shall provide a written report of its progress to the president of the Louisiana
Senate and the speaker of the Louisiana House of Representatives no later than March 1,
2024.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the
secretary of the Department of Transportation and Development.
SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE
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