| Home | Information Sharing & Analysis | Prevention & Protection | Preparedness & Response | Research | Commerce & Trade | Travel Security | Immigration |
The threat level in the airline sector is High or Orange. Read more.
This information is not current, is not being updated, and may contain broken links.
Release Date: December 9, 2008
For Immediate Release
Contact: Rebecca S. Cotton 202-325-0197
New Orleans, La. – General Douglas O'Dell, Federal Coordinator for Gulf Coast Rebuilding, today helped U.S. Secretary Housing and Urban Development, Steve Preston, and other local officials and stakeholders break ground for the new Columbia Citi Residences at Bayou District in New Orleans, calling it a sign of good rebuilding progress.
This multi-use facility in Orleans Parish will include 1,326 rental and homeownership units; 346 of the units will be used for public housing. The complex features the first public housing units to be built in New Orleans since Hurricane Katrina.
"There's a lot of progress in building and rebuilding the infrastructure in New Orleans and the greater metro area, but nothing is more thrilling than to see this housing complex get under way," said O'Dell. "We know families need places to live and this is a good start. But it's important to remember that the federal government cannot do it alone. It takes the good work and investment of the private sector, nonprofits and citizen leaders, who have done so much already to bring about rebuilding progress."
Steve Preston, U.S. Secretary of Housing and Urban Development said, "This groundbreaking builds on a commitment HUD made to create communities that are inclusive, better and safer than what families had before. We promised you new housing, a new community, and a better life. This groundbreaking marks the start of fulfilling that promise."
President Bush and his Administration have laid a solid foundation for rebuilding New Orleans, the greater metropolitan area and the Gulf Coast with more than $126 billion in aid.
O'Dell added, "I hope as we watch this complex being built we all see it as a symbol of renewed hope for the comeback of the neighborhoods in New Orleans."
The Office of the Federal Coordinator for Gulf Coast Rebuilding has been engaged in facilitating and streamlining the recovery effort, providing key federal support and resources to state and local leaders, as well as reinforcing the federal government's commitment to the people of the Gulf Coast.
###
This page was last reviewed/modified on December 9, 2008.
