People keep talking about the "Right to Return." What does this mean?

Activists from predominately African-American organizations use the term frequently.

FEMA has stated that there is money available to help past residents return from wherever they are to New Orleans. It sounds like they'll pay up to $4,000.

Is anyone preventing anyone from returning to New Orleans?

Inexpensive rental property is in short supply. Many of the rental units were in the lower lying areas of New Orleans hardest hit by flooding.

Government housing recovery programs like the Road Home have focused on owner occupied housing and given landlords who provide rental housing a lower priority. 

Federal Section 8 rental assistance payments were increased shortly after the storm. This had the effect of making all housing more expensive as federal dollars bid up proces.

Several large housing projects slated for demolition have not been repaired or reopened. Some would be habitable with relatively minor repairs. HUD/HANO plans to demolish the existing Lafitte, C.J.Peete, and B.W.Cooper high density apartment buildings has ignited massive criticism. With bulldozers ready to roll in November 2007 fresh protests erupted.

Activists also report that landlords are discriminating against African-American renters.