At 2pm today (8/28/2006) Gregory “DJ” Christy, a resident of the Lafitte housing development, joined by more than 70 supporters entered his apartment with the intention of reoccupying it for the first time since August 2005. 9 supporters of Christy were arrested in the attempt to reopen public housing. All 9 have been bailed out of the Orleans Parish Prison.

The reopening of the Lafitte today was a response to the policies of HUD which have left the Lafitte closed to residents. The development was not badly damaged by Katrina or the subsequent flood.

Ready to live in his home, Christy and supporters came stocked with water and cleaning supplies. Christy and a group of seven supporters occupied his apartment for over an hour in the sweltering heat as Housing Authority police and city police deliberated on whether to arrest them and how to respond to the opening of the unit.