N.O. Government Briefs: March 31, 2008

New Orleans CityBusiness, Mar 31, 2008

The Lafitte Housing Development has joined the ranks of other New Orleans housing development slated for demolition, after Mayor C. Ray Nagin approved razing the property.

Nagin gave the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development the OK last Monday to tear down the site to make way for a mixed- income development. The mayor's office said Lafitte will be redeveloped by 2010.

Nagin's approval for Lafitte comes on the heels of a New Orleans City Council vote in favor of demolishing Lafitte and three other public housing developments -- B.W. Cooper, St. Bernard and C.J. Peete.

"It is important that we remain consistent in our efforts to ensure that the conditions set forth in the City Council motion are met," Nagin said. "Our principles are that every public housing resident that wants to return can return to a quality housing environment. To date, I, along with the members of the City Council, are comfortable that these principles are being honored."

The Housing Authority of New Orleans plans to tear down 4,500 public housing units and redevelop the sites with mixed-income developments.

Jindal details package to mend mental health care

Gov. Bobby Jindal and state Department of Health and Hospitals Secretary Alan Levine have crafted a legislative package to address the state's mental health care crisis. Lawmakers will consider the bills in the session that begins today.

Four specific bills will address the mental health care crisis by creating standards for local behavioral health agencies, allowing use of telemedicine technology in assessing and treating persons with mental illness despite a shortage of professionals and creating a mental health crisis safety net infrastructure for people in crisis.

Jindal also proposed "Nicola's Law," named after New Orleans Police Officer Nicola Cotton. A mental health patient in New Orleans reportedly shot and killed her with her own gun in January. The bill authored by state Sen. Cheryl Gray, D-New Orleans, allows different health officials to petition for an order of involuntary outpatient treatment, requiring a patient to receive help when they will not do so voluntarily.

FEMA: Trailer site closures on track for June 1 deadline

The Federal Emergency Management Agency said it's on track to meet a June 1 deadline to close FEMA-managed group trailer sites in Louisiana.

FEMA said its staff, working with state and local government officials, has worked since November to remove people from temporary trailers and mobile homes before the start of the 2008 hurricane season.

Since announcing the park closure deadline in November, FEMA has closed 91 group parks, leaving 20 open. About 1,035 people and households continue to live in FEMA temporary group-housing sites, down from more than 4,200 in October.

FEMA has opened service centers in some of the larger group sites to help residents relocate. FEMA has a program that provides up to $4,000 to help people relocate that has been extended for eligible applicants through Aug. 31.