Residents of Guste Homes High Rise in Central City can stay in their apartments. The Housing Authority of New Orleans (HANO) successfully worked with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to keep the 12-story building open as public housing for elderly and disabled tenants, HANO announced Friday.
WWL previously reported that more than 300 residents faced possible displacement, many of them seniors or people with disabilities. Built in the 1960s, Guste High Rise had fallen short of HUD’s occupancy requirement, with 77% of apartments filled—below the 88% federal standard. Operating the building costs HUD about $8.2 million a year, while relocating residents with housing vouchers would have been cheaper, around $4.4 million, though there was no guarantee landlords would accept them.
“If that happens, it’s going to be a sad day around here you know because a lot of people you know they have some people been here 20 plus years,” said resident Dwayne Thomas. “For people to just pack up and move, that’s the hardest part.”…