NEW ORLEANS — In preparation for three highly anticipated Taylor Swift performances expected to attract around 150,000 attendees to the Superdome over the weekend, state officials began dispersing a nearby homeless encampment on Wednesday.
Approximately 75 individuals living in tents beneath an overpass will be relocated to a site about two blocks away, according to the Louisiana State Police. Advocates argue that this initiative could interrupt ongoing efforts to secure long-term housing for the displaced individuals. Additionally, homeless individuals residing in the historic French Quarter will also be moved to the same temporary location, as stated by officials.
A spokesperson for Governor Jeff Landry mentioned that the relocation was implemented to address issues related to homelessness and safety, connecting the actions to both the upcoming concerts and the Super Bowl scheduled for February.
“As we prepare for the city to host Taylor Swift and Super Bowl LIX, we are committed to ensuring New Orleans puts its best foot forward on the world stage,” Kate Kelly, the communications director, expressed in a statement to the local press.
Later, she emphasized in a separate statement that the relocation was of a short distance, highlighting safety concerns. “Only the most dangerous blocks — where homeless individuals routinely cross busy streets — are being closed down,” she elaborated.
Plans to dismantle the encampment emerged earlier in the week, though the timing of the decision regarding the new location remains unclear.
City Council member Lesli Harris, who represents the district encompassing the area, indicated that she and housing advocates had been informed the dispersal would occur on Thursday. “They’re suddenly here, on Wednesday morning, springing this on us,” Harris stated.
Martha Kegel, the executive director of Unity of Greater New Orleans, a nonprofit focused on securing permanent housing for those without shelter, acknowledged that relocating the encampment was an improvement over outright disbanding it, which advocates had initially feared. However, Kegel criticized the initiative as unnecessary and an inefficient use of state and federal funds designated for homelessness solutions.
Many individuals in the encampment struggle with mental health issues and exhibit distrust toward authorities and support efforts, Kegel noted.
“Some people were frightened and left, and that’s detrimental,” she remarked. “All the assessments and documentation we conducted regarding their disabilities and housing plans have now been wasted.”
Terrence Cobbins, one of the individuals relocating on Wednesday, voiced his frustration during a break from gathering his belongings. He expressed discontent regarding the forced move, questioning why actions were being taken specifically for Taylor Swift when similar situations had not prompted previous interventions.
City Council President Helena Moreno called for improved collaboration between state and city officials to address the homeless crisis effectively.
Kegel mentioned that her organization should have been consulted, given that the concert dates had been public for several months. “We could have achieved the governor’s goals in a more humane and rational manner instead of merely relocating individuals a couple of blocks away or scattering them,” she stated.
There has been no evidence suggesting that either Taylor Swift or the NFL, which scheduled the Super Bowl for New Orleans in 2025, played any role in the decision to relocate the encampment. Inquiries for comments were sent to representatives of both Swift and the league on Wednesday afternoon.
