Image: "Rebuilding Gert Town" ©2002. Albert Cooper, Warrior Richardson, Artists. Percent For Art Program, administered by the Arts Council of New Orleans

Over the last two years, UI researchers have made the ongoing impact and recovery from Katrina one of the Institute's primary focuses. At the second anniversary of Katrina's devastation of the Gulf Coast region, where do we stand?

Talking With the Experts

In our series of short interviews, Urban Instititute researchers discuss the most significant accomplishments and the critical issues that still remain.

• Fredrica Kramer on evaluating the response of faith-based and community organizations
  
• Caterina Roman on public safety and the criminal justice system
  
• Steve Zuckerman on health care and the government's role in providing it
  

In our Expert Q&A, researchers weigh in on what the most important next step is for our government. (from the UI 2006 annual report)

The Research

"After Katrina: Washed Away? Justice in New Orleans," a report by Caterina Gouvis Roman, Seri Irazola, and Jenny W.L. Osborne, provides a comprehensive review of the acute and lasting impact of the hurricane on the city's criminal justice system.

"Affordable Rental Housing in Healthy Communities: Rebuilding After Hurricanes Katrina and Rita" presents a set of promising programs and practices that would expand the availability of permanent, affordable rental housing in the ongoing effort to recover from the storms. The report was authored by Margery Austin Turner, Barika Williams, Glenn Kates, Susan J. Popkin, and Carol Rabenhorst.

"Providing Long-Term Services after Major Disasters," a new brief by Carol J. De Vita and Elaine Morley, highlights the lessons learned from the Urban Institute's assessment of the American Red Cross September 11th Recovery Program, which provided grants to community-based organizations to provide longer-term case management, mental health services, and other services to facilitate recovery.

See a compendium of our extensive publications and findings in our After Katrina web section.