New Orleans Agrees to Give Demolition Notices

Under pressure from angry residents and a lawsuit, New Orleans officials have agreed to notify owners before any hurricane-damaged home is demolished, even those homes washed into streets or reduced to heaps of debris.

A lawsuit had been filed to stop the city from proceeding with plans to tear down 2,500 buildings.

As part of a settlement approved Friday by a federal judge, homeowners of about 120 properties that were seriously damaged or posed an immediate threat to the public would be given seven to 10 days’ notice. A 30-day notice will be given to the owners of about 1,900 other houses slated for demolition. Homeowners may challenge demolitions.