Policy versus politics: post-Hurricane Katrina lower-income housing restoration in Mississippi

Abstract

Much of the discourse post-Hurricane Katrina focuses on recovery efforts in New Orleans. Meanwhile, the Mississippi Gulf Coast receives relatively little attention. Mississippi exemplifies how state political-economic ideology counters federal plans or policy intentions through a neoliberalism, accompanied by neoconservative values, favoring economic development and higher-income households over housing opportunities for lower-income groups. The particular case of East Biloxi describes how neoliberal and neoconservative interests influenced post-disaster land-use and other decisions threatening the lower-income and racially diverse community. Thinking broadly, a housing policy that includes restoration of lower-income households matters very little when state officials controlling implementation do not value government intervention that could further racial justice and social equity. Opportunities for racial justice and social equity may occur through a community sector that not only strengthens the social glue between area groups, but also builds social bridges with outside entities such as non-local community-based allies, academic units, advocacy organizations and federal legislators, while agitating for the provision of housing targeting lower-income households. Planners and policymakers must be visionary, courageous, and seek ways to enhance community sector efforts.