Opposition Group: “Don’t Put Trailers
in My Trailer’s Backyard”

A group of Lakeview residents currently living in trailers have expressed their strong opposition to Mayor Nagin’s plan to put trailers camps at multiple sites in Lakeview.

Their message: “Not in my trailer’s backyard.”

The opposition of the group, known as the Lakeview Trailer Association, comes at a time when a group of noted economists have argued that the city’s recovery is being delayed by the scarcity of affordable housing.

In addition, FEMA currently has more than 30,000 trailers ready to move into the city to house thousands of displaced New Orlenians who are ready to come home and rebuild their lives. If only enough suitable sites can be found.

But members of the LTA argue that there are many reasons why the city should look to place the trailers elsewhere.”

That huge trailer compound will be an enormous fire hazard,” said Sheila Troup, as she placed a lit candle near the kitchen curtain of the trailer she’s been living in since October.”

The sites they picked, they aren’t suitable for trailers,” argued resident Howard Damien as he entered his trailer, which is wedged between a street light and a rotting oak tree on his front yard.

Most Lakeview trailer residents say their biggest concern is crime.

Downing whiskey straight from the bottle while cleaning a handgun on the front step of his trailer, Felix Ozuna said, “Who knows what kind of unsavory element all those trailers will bring in here.”