The homeless population is certainly one of the most vulnerable demographics in the city when it comes to hurricanes. Before a major storm, service providers like the HTC rely on word of mouth and outreach teams to inform unhoused individuals of the impending threat. In the days leading up to Hurricane Ida, we did our best to outline the available options for shelter for as many guests as possible. At our last touchpoint with them on Friday, August 27th, the storm had just been upgraded from a Category 2 to a Category 3, and many guests seemed determined to ride out the hurricane from their tents, not knowing that Ida would rapidly intensify to a strong Category 4 hurricane by landfall. As many Louisianans made their way away from the coast, we worried for the safety and well-being of our beloved guests.
After the hurricane, some of our team returned to check on the Center. We are incredibly fortunate that our site was spared from the worst of the devastation, sustaining only minor damage to the siding. Without power, our services were put on hold as we got to work boarding up holes in the siding and cleaning the debris that littered the courtyard. During our closure, our team members who did not evacuate along with some of our volunteers lent their time and energy towards mutual aid, volunteering with organizations like Grace at the Greenlight and driving around the city to locate and assist our guests.
Our Center officially reopened to guests on Tuesday, September 6th with limited services until our full team could arrive back on site. Nonetheless, during our first week back, we were able to help many people receive their first shower in over a week. Our guests were grateful, but physically and emotionally exhausted. It is clear to us that a person does not have to have a house to feel the physical and psychological impacts of displacement.
As we near the end of our second week of service following the hurricane, things still don’t feel normal. Several of our regulars are unaccounted for. Many people who had been housed through various programs sustained major property damage and are at risk of homelessness once more. We are worried for the folks we have yet to see and pray that they made it to safety.
We understand that the stakes are higher than ever for our guests. Many of them are feeling hopeless and they are hurting deeply, in ways that are difficult to put into words. Still, they come to us seeking comfort and compassion, and we are blessed to be able to offer a place for them to rest while trying to help them make sense of what to do next. If you’d like to support our efforts to help the unhoused community recover, please consider donating today.
HTC Volunteer, Liam Fitzgerald, boards up broken siding at the Rebuild Center following Hurricane Ida.