Steve Wheeler

Steve Wheeler
Originally uploaded by dsb nola

I ran by City Hall to see my lovely assessor, Betty Jefferson, indicted Rep. William Jefferson's sister, to contest the new assessment of our house. Afterwards, I stopped and talked to a cadre of homeless people who have taken up residence in the gazebo outside City Hall (no, the irony isn't lost on me). Steve Wheeler is the Vice President of the Homeless Pride Association and says his group has been in negotiations with the Mayor's Office and the City Council to help the homeless population in New Orleans, primarily through opening up some public housing buildings. He says they get along well with the police and are keen to hook-up with a non-profit (or create one) to more effectively empower the homeless. He seemed like a thoughtful and committed advocate and I hope to check back again from time to time to see how things are going. Steve asked me to publicize an upcoming event:

Homeless Pride Invites You to March for Housing!

March for housing, Monday, August 6, 2007.

Meet @ 8 a.m. @ Duncan Plaza, across from City Hall, 1300 Perdido St. March begins @ 8:30 a.m. and ends at the HANO office, Sojourner Truth Community Center, 501 N. Galvez (by the Lafitte Housing Development).

For more information, contact Elizabeth Cook @ 504-343-6781.