Post-Katrina Rental Restrictions Face Challenge

St. Bernard Parish was decimated by Hurricane Katrina. While recovery has been relatively slow in the parish, some residents have raised concern about the changing quality of life in the parish. There are also concerns about maintaining the high level of home ownership that existed prior to Katrina. The parish council believes that the rental restrictions will not only help maintain the pre-Katrina quality of life, but it will also promote home ownership in the parish. Officials claim that the restrictions are not racially motivated nor are they discriminatory. Fair housing advocates fail to differ and have filed suit against the parish.

"Our people have been through enough. Everybody lost their homes, and many of them lost family members and friends in the storm," DiFatta said. "They don't want to lose their quality of life as well, and that's one thing we can damn well help them to hold on to."