New Orleans continues to undergo a major transformation, the rebuilding process has created a national experiment of privatizing the school system through charter schools. A drastic shortage of low-cost housing has more than doubled the homeless population since before Katrina. And the levees are worse than before. Kali Akuno, Activist with the Reconstruction Movement in New Orleans says Obama's plan is good, but not ideal.

"It wasn't as strong as I'd like, but it was an attempt. But it's not mentioned at all in this plan that I am looking at he makes some reference to the Road Home program and he makes the illusion that all displaced persons would have the right to return. But the vast majority displaced are renters not home owners."

Akuno calls for a major national federal works plan like that during the Great Depression.