What has become of all these victims?

By Becky Bohrer, Associated Press Writer | November 16, 2006

NEW ORLEANS –Hearings began Thursday on whether the city should seize or demolish hundreds of buildings damaged in Hurricane Katrina that are still in disrepair.

City leaders say that the empty, heavily damaged houses that dot some of New Orleans’ worst-hit neighborhoods are impeding recovery and that they hope the hearings will spur property owners to begin repairs.

Housing inspectors began canvassing neighborhoods in August — a year after the storm hit — looking for damaged or derelict buildings.

Of the 8,500 properties inspected thus far, 1,020 have been deemed blighted or public nuisances and referred for administrative hearings, said Brenda Breaux, chief deputy city attorney for housing. She said some neighborhoods haven’t yet been inspected.

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