Woodlands Residents Win Reprieve from Holiday Season Evictions

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 28, 2006

Contact: Soleil Rodrigue, Legal Coordinator, 504-717-7324
Don Paul, Chief Operations Coordinator, 504-421-2706

Woodlands Residents Win Reprieve from Holiday Season Evictions

New Orleans, LA (November 28, 2006) – Shouts of jubilation broke out today at the Algiers Courthouse when it was announced that tenants of the Woodlands Apartment complex would be able to remain in their homes rent-free until January 4th. This is being seen as a partial victory as the tenants will be able to spend the holidays at home, but will still be worried about where they will be living in the New Year.

Over 140 residents and supporters showed up at the courthouse this morning carrying signs and cardboard houses which read “we want to be home for the holidays.” Residents made speeches, chanted and sang to voice their outrage at the possibility of eviction.

Malik Rahim, co-founder of Common Ground Relief, announced the agreement at 10:30am. Rahim had just come from a pre-trial conference in front of Second City Court Judge Mary Norman. Also involved were Laura Tuggle and Mark Moreau, both of New Orleans Legal Assistance Corp. representing Woodlands tenants; Dianne Stewart, a Woodlands resident representing the tenants; and Richard Tomeny, lawyer for Johnson Properties Group, LLC and Woodlands Development, LLC.

Residents had been facing the possibility of evictions as soon as tomorrow, Wednesday, November 29. The agreement made clear that tenants had until January 4, 2007 to find new housing, but would not have to pay rent for November, December, or their time in January. Though this agreement comes as a relief to those fearing immediate eviction, it also gives Woodlands residents just over a month to find new affordable housing in a market where rents are estimated to be as much as 70% higher than pre Katrina.

Common Ground also sacrificed some of its interest in the Woodlands to help broker the deal. As of Wednesday, only Common Ground volunteers who live at the Woodlands will be allowed on the property. However, given the history of police intimidation tactics at the Woodlands, volunteers and residents will continue to monitor police activity to ensure that the rights of tenants are honored.