New Orleans mayoral candidates address housing, childcare issues

NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) — New Orleans candidates highlighted a focus on family needs at a mayoral forum.

The questions began asking each candidate how they plan on increasing affordable housing, primarily for single parent households.

“Let’s do what the experts used to do. Let’s bring a Fred Johnson back to the table, a Wilbert Thomas,” candidate Oliver Thomas said.

“We need a person that reports directly to the mayor that coordinates all the different housing agencies so we can be clear about getting down to solving the housing crisis here in new Orleans,” candidate Royce Duplessis said.

“We have more than 80 structures right now; 80 buildings, that are empty. We have more than 300 parcels of land that the city isn’t doing anything with, so I would take all of these properties and move them under the New Orleans building corporation,” candidate Helena Moreno said.

The topic then shifted when each candidate was asked how they plan to make childcare more affordable.

“We also have to look at more investment into recreation for our young people,” Duplessis said.

“City hall should have additional opportunities and access for childcare,” Moreno said.

“There are enough vacant schools and enough vacant public properties that if we could earn the right to cost for a childcare provider that doesn’t have to provide the building, but bring the expertise the space; it makes it a lot more affordable for them,” Thomas said.

Ultimately, each candidate was asked for specific actions that they plan to take to help reduce poverty in the city.

“The first action I would take is to boost up our economic development department to really prioritize our small businesses and our entrepreneurs,” Moreno said.

“Let’s have an office of economic development in parts of Gentility and New Orleans East where we can take advantage of those assets,” Thomas said.

“We create universal Pre-k, 0-3. That is an economic driver,” Duplessis said.

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