MAYOR CANTRELL, CITY OFFICIALS AND PARTNERS
CUT RIBBON ON LOW BARRIER SHELTER
NEW
ORLEANS – Mayor LaToya Cantrell, joined by City officials and partners, cut the ribbon yesterday on the City’s first low barrier shelter for the homeless. This project,
located at 1530 Gravier St., delivers on a request that homeless-service providers
have long advocated for and will be available for those in need of immediate
housing, particularly for those who have had challenges accessing existing
services.
“When
I became Mayor, I made a promise to New Orleans – to meet people where they
are. The City’s first low barrier shelter is an example of that commitment,”
said Mayor Cantrell. “On behalf of
the City of New Orleans, I am thrilled to cut the ribbon on the low barrier shelter.
Our homeless brothers and sisters are our most vulnerable, and we cannot leave
them behind. This facility ensures we care for them properly and puts us one
step closer to ending homelessness across New Orleans. Together, we can get it
done.”
Formally
named the City of New Orleans Shelter and Engagement Center, the low barrier
shelter is a 12,000-square-foot renovation of the second floor of the old
Veterans Affairs (VA) Hospital Building. Funded by the Community Development
Block Grant (CDBG), Neighborhood Housing Improvement Fund (NHIF), Downtown
Development District (DDD), Louisiana Housing Corporation and the Ernest N.
Morial Convention Center, the 24/7 shelter includes 100 beds, a living and
community space, accommodations for special needs clients, restrooms, showers,
kitchen, laundry area, and office space for the shelter operator and service
providers. Additionally, the space includes an exterior deck on the second
floor with storage lockers under the deck to provide personal storage space for
clients, and first-floor access, in compliance with the Americans with
Disabilities Act.
“The
Low Barrier Shelter is a great project and expands an array of services and
resources for those in need. We are glad to see this project complete and look
forward to seeing it serve the homeless community,” said Capital Projects Administration
Director Vincent Smith.
Serving
homeless individuals who have been resistant to outreach efforts, this shelter
is different from other shelters in that there are no barriers to entry. It is
at this facility where homeless individuals, especially those who reside under
the expressway, can be effectively engaged, assessed, triaged and sheltered
while case managers pursue permanent housing. Homeless clients staying at the
shelter will not be limited to short-term stays as is the case for many
traditional shelters, as it often takes weeks or months for case managers to
connect them with permanent housing.
“The
New Orleans Health Department is proud to stand with many partners and
organizations to cut the ribbon on the low barrier shelter – a critical facility
for the most vulnerable New Orleanians. This shelter is more than just open
beds; it’s access to the appropriate medical care and connections to resources.
We look forward to continuing to work with the low barrier shelter to meet the
needs of the homeless and to make sure that everyone has access to quality
healthcare,” said New Orleans Health
Department Director Dr. Jennifer Avegno.
“After
years of working with various partners to improve the well-being of homeless
individuals across New Orleans through the low barrier shelter, it is refreshing
to see the facility flourishing. On behalf of the residents of this city, I am
grateful for the support of countless organizations for standing with New
Orleans to create this unique facility to improve the lives of those in need,” said
Office of Community and Economic Development Director Ellen Lee.
Operated
by the Start Corporation, the low barrier shelter has been open and working
with individuals since August 2018, serving the homeless of New Orleans. In
addition to Start Corporation, this project is supported by United States
Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), the Downtown Development
District (DDD), the Louisiana Housing Corporation, the Southeast Louisiana
Veterans Health Care System, Unity of Greater New Orleans and its more than 60
service provider partners.
“In
an effort to reach our hardest-to-serve homeless population, HUD is happy to
support the City’s low barrier shelter, which will function as a critical point
of access. This shelter will also be a
significant component in the City’s strategy to eradicate chronic homelessness.
We are all committed to employing both conventional and unconventional measures
to aid in our fight against homelessness,” said HUD New Orleans Field Office
Director Earl Randall.
“Today
we celebrate much more than 100 additional beds to get some of our most
vulnerable community members off the streets. We celebrate a new front door to
a comprehensive system of care to get people housed and keep them housed. The
DDD has envisioned and worked toward this facility for almost five years, and
is honored to have partnered with the City of New Orleans and Mayor Cantrell to
bring it to fruition. We also extend thanks to the New Orleans Morial
Convention Center and their contribution to the ongoing operation of the
shelter. This expansion of the Community Resource & Referral Center will
have a vital impact on the quality of life Downtown and those in much need of
its services,” said DDD President and CEO Kurt Weigle.
“The Ernest N. Morial New Orleans Exhibition Hall Authority has supported over $75 million in external programs in over the last 18 months that improve our city’s quality of life and our visitors’ experience. The low barrier homeless shelter is among the most important and innovative. The shelter plays a unique role in helping house local residents who need safe and clean accommodations but cannot afford access on their own. On behalf of my fellow Commissioners, we applaud the City and the DDD’s efforts in addressing the homeless issue in New Orleans,” said Ernest N. Morial Convention Center Board Chair Melvin Rodrigue.
“The
low barrier shelter will provide an opportunity to serve those least likely to
be served by providing shelter in the least restrictive setting possible. This
will be the first step in their journey to housing, thus ending their time
living on the streets. Together we will end homelessness in New Orleans,” said Louisiana
Housing Corporation Housing Authority Administrator Nicole Sweazy.
“This
shelter will allow increased coordination of care between the VA and community
providers, and with its proximity to the Community Resource and Referral
Center, we will be able to increase access to health care and other services for
a population that is difficult to reach. We are committed to providing for
those in need, to ensure our Veterans receive the care they have earned and
deserve,” said Southeast Louisiana Veterans Health Care System Director
Fernando Rivera.
“Start
Corporation is happy to be a partner with the City and other funders to get
this much needed project operational. It’s refreshing to walk through the
shelter and see so much hope and spirit on the faces of people who didn’t have
that, just a few short weeks ago,” said Start Corporation Executive Director
Casey Guidry.
“UNITY
of Greater New Orleans is excited to partner with Mayor LaToya Cantrell, Start
Corporation, the DDD, and homeless service providers on the low barrier shelter
as a vital innovation to reduce unsheltered homelessness in our city in an
effective and compassionate way. We
applaud Mayor Cantrell for her hands-on approach to save lives and make our
city a better place,” said Unity of
Greater New Orleans Executive Director Martha Kegel.
“This
shelter will help fill a crucial gap, as it will be open to homeless
individuals that other shelters cannot or will not accept. It will serve our
city’s most vulnerable residents and is a great step forward. All of our
residents deserve a safe place to sleep, regardless of addiction, mental
illness, or other complicating issues. My hope is that eventually this shelter
can truly serve as a one-stop-shop to help our homeless residents get back on
their feet,” said At-Large Councilmember
and New Orleans City Council President Jason Rogers Williams.
“I’m
pleased that this project is finally complete. It is imperative to create safe
shelters for homeless individuals, but equally as important are supportive
services to help restore lives and get people off the streets. This is a step
towards helping resolve homelessness in New Orleans, but certainly not the
complete solution. Moving forward the City must prioritize this issue and use
an all hands on deck approach,” said At-Large
Councilmember and New Orleans City Council Vice President Helena Moreno.
“Homelessness
is not a crime, and the homeless should not be treated as criminals. This
shelter will not only provide much needed support services to individuals, who
desperately need help, but also help them transition from the street, which
improves the quality of life for everyone,” said District B Councilmember Jay H. Banks.
“Opening
the low barrier shelter is just one of many steps in ensuring that our
neighbors in need receive critical services in a dignified and respectful
manner. I want to thank all of the
organizations involved who helped make this possible, and look forward to
working with them in the future to continue improving and expanding similar
resources,” said District C
Councilmember Kristin Gisleson Palmer.
“In
the past, we've undeniably forsaken one of our most vulnerable populations, our
city's homeless. To move forward as a city and make true and meaningful
progress, we must do so together with all of our residents. Today represents an
important step forward for the entire City of New Orleans to provide long
overdue shelter and services for our brothers and sisters in need,” said District D Councilmember Jared Brossett.
“It’s
an honor for the City of New Orleans to announce the opening of the low barrier
shelter. Homeless and mentally ill
individuals will have a facility to shower, feel safe, receive health treatment
and have access to much needed services. It addresses a quality of life issue
that the citizens of Orleans Parish deserve,” said District E Councilmember Cyndi Nguyen.
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