Guste Homes High Rise has been a home, a community, and a lifeline for more than 300 elderly and disabled New Orleanians. Now, because of a high vacancy rate and decades of deferred investment, federal officials are considering a plan that could push every resident out and replace their homes with housing vouchers.

That is not the solution our city needs.

HUD has warned that Guste may be labeled a “deeply distressed, high-vacancy” development because it is only about 77% occupied, below the federal 88% requirement. If that determination stands, residents could be given vouchers and told to find housing elsewhere over the next five years.

But in a city facing a severe affordable housing shortage, vouchers are not a guarantee of stability. A 2024 study found that the vast majority of landlords in New Orleans do not accept vouchers. Many voucher holders struggle to find units within fair market rent limits. For seniors and people with disabilities, navigating that search can be overwhelming — and sometimes impossible.

Residents like 72-year-old Debra Tousant say they look out for one another, walking the halls together and building a support system many cannot replace. Others fear being pushed farther from transit, healthcare, and essential services.

The building needs investment, not to be shut down. HANO estimates nearly $60 million would be required to modernize it, and leaders acknowledge years of missed opportunities for upgrades. Some residents report inconsistent maintenance and call for deeper cleaning and repairs. But closing Guste would permanently eliminate one of the last high-rise public housing options for seniors in New Orleans.

We call on U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Secretary and leadership, along with the Housing Authority of New Orleans Board of Commissioners and Executive Director Marjorianna Willman, to reject any plan to shutter Guste Homes and instead work together on a fully funded rehabilitation plan that keeps residents in place.

Invest in repairs. Clean and modernize the building. Involve residents in every step of the decision-making process.

New Orleans’ seniors and disabled residents deserve stability, dignity, and a real commitment to preserving deeply affordable housing — not displacement.

If you believe our elders should not be forced from their homes, add your name today.

Photo: David Grunfeld, Times-Picayune