The New Orleans City Council has been actively discussing and taking steps to address the housing crisis in the city. The documents provided highlight various decisions, actions, and discussions pertinent to housing issues, including affordability, homelessness, and the prioritization of residential needs over tourism. Key points from the council's activities include: 1. Advocacy for affordable home ownership: There have been calls for the city to include home ownership within its housing mix, with the aim of creating affordable home ownership opportunities for residents. This includes proposed amendments to zoning ordinances to promote such opportunities and recognition of the importance of funding and staffing departments that support housing initiatives. 2. Legislation and funds for the unhoused: The city council has designed legislation with the consideration of the health, safety, and well-being of the unhoused population and the broader community. This includes comments on the creation of funds to support housing needs and the regular advertisement of these funds to the public. 3. Criticism of implementation delays: There has been criticism that the council grandstands on housing as a human right without following through on implementation. The delay in executing ordinances related to housing has been noted, with calls for action plans to ensure timely execution. 4. United effort for affordable housing: The council has expressed unity in working towards the goal of providing affordable housing in New Orleans. This includes taking measures to counteract the impact of commercial short-term rentals and acknowledging the need for sufficient staffing to prioritize renters' safety. 5. Zoning changes and housing availability: Discussions have taken place regarding zoning changes, with concerns raised about limiting housing availability by changing zoning from multi-family to single-family. The council has been urged to consider the broader impact on the city's housing availability when making such decisions. 6. Housing Trust Fund: There has been support for the Housing Trust Fund as a necessary investment to address the city's housing crisis. The need for a greater portion of the general funds to go towards housing has been emphasized. The broader societal impact of these issues includes the challenge of ensuring adequate and affordable housing for all residents while balancing the interests of different stakeholders, such as developers and community members. The council's actions and discussions show an awareness of the need for a comprehensive approach that includes various tools and strategies to address the housing crisis. However, there have been shortcomings in the implementation and prioritization of these efforts, leading to criticism from the public. There are underlying biases in the discourse, such as the tension between preserving neighborhood character and providing enough housing to meet demand, as well as the prioritization of residents' needs over tourism-driven development. The council's decisions and their implications on housing policy reflect the complex challenge of managing urban development in a way that is equitable and sustainable for the community.