Homeless individuals keeping spirits high for a home post-New Orleans Transitional Center

NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) — The Super Bowl has come and gone, and Mardi Gras is almost here.

However, many of the homeless individuals, now staying at a temporary shelter set up by the state near the Pontchartrain Park Neighborhood, are still hopeful for housing vouchers.

“They’re not going to put anybody back on the street. They’re going to make sure everyone has housing. It’s not going to be a need for another shelter,” said unhoused individual Ronnie Hill.

Mike Steele with the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness says after a couple of bumps in the road, they’ve made strides to see what they can do to help everyone get on their feet.

“Some may be a better fit for Louisiana housing corporation vouchers, some on that potential to travel to an outside state. All of that would have to be verified with the social workers that they actually had a point to go to,” said Steele.

Hill says after traveling to different states, New Orleans is the only place that helps homeless people find housing.

“You just have homeless people out on the street. They don’t have these types of programs. So, this is a blessing right here, people are working hard. They’re doing everything they supposed to do, and they are helping the homeless,” said Hill.

John Land agrees, saying those at the shelter have been accommodating. Yet, he feels uneasy about whether everyone will be able to receive housing.

“Far as I can tell they are working hard to get us housing. They’re just filing the papers and filling out the paperwork and then sending them to the state department. They’re waiting on the vouchers. I hope I get housed, I hope I didn’t come out here for nothing. That would be disappointing,” said Land.

Steele explains there’s not a firm deadline or time when it’s going to end, as the last thing they want to do is just put people back on the streets.

“A lot of that’s going to depend on the social workers working with this group. Let’s say we have a big group of 50 left, need two weeks past what we’re under contract to operate at then they’re not going to shut it down,” said Steele.

Steele says their team will continue to do their best to find solutions for those looking to turn their life around and find adequate housing.

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