Super Bowl Spotlights New Orleans—But at What Cost to Those Experiencing Homelessness?

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On January 18th, The New York Times published an article entitled, “With Spotlight on New Orleans, Louisiana Moves Homeless Out of Sight.” The article outlines an initiative by Louisiana state and local officials to relocate New Orleans’ homeless population out of the city center in conjunction with the Super Bowl and continuing through Mardi Gras.

Governor Jeff Landry defended the move, stating, “It is in the best interest of every citizen’s safety and security to give the unhoused humane and safe shelter as we begin to welcome the world to the city of New Orleans.” However, the reality of the initiative has raised serious concerns. Under an emergency order, individuals experiencing homelessness—some forcibly and under threat of imprisonment—have been moved to a facility described by The Times as “a warehouse that had been quickly arranged in an industrial area far from downtown.”

While officials present this as a resource hub, the impact on those experiencing homelessness tells a different story. According to the article, some city leaders and advocates argue that this effort has disrupted lives and hindered long-term housing initiatives, such as the city’s goal to house 1,500 people by the end of the year, 822 of whom have already been placed. Rather than building upon existing housing-first solutions, this initiative prioritizes making homelessness less visible for visitors, not actually solving the crisis.

The concerns go beyond relocation—reports indicate that some individuals in the facility have been told they cannot leave freely unless they have a job, with a 9 p.m. curfew in place. This level of restriction raises ethical and legal questions about how we treat those experiencing homelessness. As New Orleans Homeless and Houseless Advocacy, Research and Rights Monitoring (NOHHARM) advocate, Angela Owczarek, put it “I think it shows that we would accept a lot of harm to unhoused people as the price to pay so they’re not visible during these big events.”

This initiative has created uncertainty and distress, both for those experiencing homelessness and for those working to connect them with stable housing. Moving people away from areas where they feel safe and connected—without offering them real alternatives beyond forced placement or even jail—is not a solution. It is a temporary fix designed for optics, not meaningful change.

As the nation celebrates the Super Bowl, we must confront this stark reality: the treatment of the most vulnerable members of our communities should not be dictated by the presence of tourists or major events. If we truly want to address homelessness, we need sustained investment in permanent housing solutions, not short-term strategies that displace and dehumanize people.

No matter who you want to win the Super Bowl, this is something we should all be rooting for.