Senator Mary Landrieu co-sponsored the Gulf Coast Housing Recovery Act (S. 1668) with U.S. Senate Banking Committee Chairman Christopher Dodd. The legislation encourages the development of smartly-designed, mixed-income communities and a departure from dilapidated, barracks-style public housing of the past.  The rebuilding model laid out in the Dodd-Landrieu bill has been met with acclaim by housing advocates, residents, local officials (the New Orleans City Council affirmed support for this model in December 2007) and the Louisiana Recovery Authority, whose board consists mainly of business and civic leaders. The community revitalization and rebuilding efforts which she encourages are also advanced through her ongoing and frequent communication with constituents. Town hall meetings, newsletters, forums, staff outreach and webcam links distributed through her website and e-mail lists are examples of how she communicates regularly with constituents.