On these pages are the real stories of the ramifications and revelations of Hurricane Katrina as told by New Orleans residents and retold through the voice of Park Scholars. These stories present the human connection residents share with societal, environmental, political, social, and economic forces surrounding the Lower Ninth Ward.
Ten years after hurricane Katrina the communities in New Orleans are still recovering. Within the city, the Lower Ninth Ward has been marked as one of the areas most impacted by the storm. Before Katrina the Lower Nine was 90 percent African American and had 30 percent of the population living at or below the poverty level. Furthermore, African American homeownership in the Lower Ninth Ward was 57 percent pre-Katrina, compared to only 49 percent nationwide. However, high property ownership was met with low income. Consequently, many families were unable to rebuild after the storm and were forced to relocate. According to Lowernine.org, as of 2014, the population return of the Lower Ninth Ward is only 34 percent, which is far behind the rest of the city of New Orleans. In our research, we examined the city’s response to post-Katrina New Orleans. Specifically the impact race and class has on the return rate of native residents to the area and continued housing disenfranchisement after the storm.
Ten years after hurricane Katrina the communities in New Orleans are still recovering. Within the city, the Lower Ninth Ward has been marked as one of the areas most impacted by the storm. Before Katrina the Lower Nine was 90 percent African American and had 30 percent of the population living at or below the poverty level. Furthermore, African American homeownership in the Lower Ninth Ward was 57 percent pre-Katrina, compared to only 49 percent nationwide. However, high property ownership was met with low income. Consequently, many families were unable to rebuild after the storm and were forced to relocate. According to Lowernine.org, as of 2014, the population return of the Lower Ninth Ward is only 34 percent, which is far behind the rest of the city of New Orleans. In our research, we examined the city’s response to post-Katrina New Orleans. Specifically the impact race and class has on the return rate of native residents to the area and continued housing disenfranchisement after the storm.