The single greatest problem facing soon-to-be-elected state and local officials in the New Orleans'recovery is the stunning lack of decent affordable housing.

To help foster a concrete and viable plan to rebuild affordable homes in the city, all New Orleans candidates vying for state or city offices have been invited to participate in the "Affordable Housing Forum" hosted by the Greater New Orleans Housing Alliance and the Louisiana Housing Alliance.

The public forum will provide candidates an opportunity to tell voters how they will help solve the affordable housing crisis.

The forum will focus on a broad array of recovery-related housing issues, especially as the recovery affects flooded neighborhoods, renters transitioning to homeownership, low-income residents, and former and current residents of subsidized housing.