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River Garden Housing Complex
New Orleans, Louisiana

11:06 A.M. CDT

THE PRESIDENT: We have just -- Laura and I have just been given a tour by the Whites in their new home. And they're going to be moving into this home this weekend maybe.

MS. WHITE: This weekend.

THE PRESIDENT: There's nothing more hopeful than to be with somebody who says, welcome to my home, particularly given the fact that these mixed-use housing projects have replaced old-style low-income housing projects that, frankly, didn't work. In other words, the storm came, created a lot of heartbreak and heartache, but people took a different look at how best to help people in their homes.

And we're in this beautiful project. This is a stunning project. I'm with homeowners-to-be, renters; here's a homeowner-to-be right here. Right across the street, as a matter of fact, isn't that right? People are going to be able to say, this is my home.

This is really a remarkable project. For people in New Orleans who remember what this site was like, compared to what it is today, they've got to be full of hope. And so I appreciate the builders. I appreciate Alphonso Jackson in Housing and Urban Development, the group that have helped get this project started. But most of all, I appreciate the homeowners-to-be, people who are working hard to be able to say, this is my home. And we really appreciate you giving us a chance to come by. And we wish you all the very best in your new home. Congratulations. (Applause.)

Thank you all.

END 11:08 A.M. CDT