The Mayor’s Office today (Wed., Feb. 10) announced an expansion of its rental assistance program with the recent allocation of $11.6 million in federal funds. The City is expecting an additional $14 million from the state of Louisiana for rental assistance. This program will begin taking applications on Monday, Feb....
City Announces Restrictions for Upcoming Mardi Gras Weekend and Mardi Gras Day
To keep large crowds off the streets and the spread of COVID-19 down, City officials today (Friday, Feb. 5), announced enforcement procedures for the upcoming Mardi Gras weekend and Mardi Gras day, in addition to enhanced enforcement this weekend. Leaders are also urging all residents and visitors to continue to follow...
Louisiana Expands Vaccine Eligibility
Residents between ages 65-69, other select groups now added to ongoing vaccinations Louisiana will begin vaccinating people between the ages of 65 and 69 against COVID-19 on Monday, February 8, expanding eligibility to more than 275,000 additional Louisianans, Gov. John Bel Edwards announced Thursday, Feb. 4. The availability of more...
Help is on the Way for Renters Struggling to Pay, Facing Eviction
Budget Committee Approves $11.6M in Federal Funding for Emergency Rental Assistance Program Full Council Expected to Take Up the Measure at Feb. 11 Meeting The Council's Budget Committee recommended approval today of $11.6 million in federal funding for the City’s Emergency Rental Assistance Program. The rental assistance funding is part...
City Extends Meal Assistance Program through February
In partnership with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the City of New Orleans recently announced that the COVID-19 Meal Assistance Program will continue through at least Mar. 1, 2021, bringing the program into its eighth month. Funding for the program's extension was approved by FEMA, which covers 75 percent of...
City of New Orleans to Provide Free Flu Shots Friday, Test Vaccine Administration Plans
The City of New Orleans will host a free, walk-up flu vaccine event from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, Dec. 11 at First Grace United Methodist Church, 3401 Canal St. In addition to providing flu shots, public health and safety officials are also using this event to test plans...
Will Louisiana Enter Phase Three on Sept. 12?
Gov. John Bel Edwards says he could announce a decision as soon as Wednesday (Sept. 9) if Louisiana will roll out Phase III of its reopening amid the COVID-19 pandemic. The current executive order that details the state's Phase II reopening and restrictions is set to expire on at midnight on...
Lessons Learned: From Katrina to COVID-19: We Cannot Afford Another Replay of Hurricane Katrina
By Kristen Burras What world do we want on the other side of COVID-19? We cannot afford a Katrina replay. There are policymakers who will balk at the thought of redistributive, race conscious policies for historically marginalized groups. It is critical to recognize, like historian Robin D. G. Kelley, that...
Help May Be On the Way for 20,000 Unemployed Louisianans Locked Out of $300 Lost Wage Assistance
With only $44 billion in FEMA funding earmarked for Lost Wages Assistance, the program will likely be short-lived depending on the number of states participating and how many eligible claimants each state has. The Louisiana Workforce Commission will conduct an outreach effort to help qualify as many as 20,000 Louisianans...
Businesses Should Prepare to Apply for State Main Street Recovery Program
Mayor LaToya Cantrell is urging eligible businesses in New Orleans to prepare for the state of Louisiana-administered Main Street Recovery Program application period, which will begin no later than July 28. And grants will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. The Louisiana Legislature has designated $300 million from the...