article_snippet: The city government is selling some 1,700 vacant lots and ruined properties which have gone unclaimed for years - many since the devastation wrought by Hurricane Katrina in 2005.
article_snippet: And after years of taxes and charges on the land piling up, city authorities have decided to cut city authorities losses by putting them all up for auction.
article_snippet: Many have so many charges stacked up that paying them off would cost more than the plot is worth.
article_snippet: 1925 Felician Street was another of the vacant lots up for sale in the huge auction .
article_snippet: City authorities have also said that all the sales are conditional on the auctioneers being able to get title insurance for the homes.
highlights_snippet: New Orleans city authorities are organizing huge auction of vacant homes .
  
highlights_snippet: All homes have been unclaimed for at least 5 years and have huge tax bills .
  
highlights_snippet: City will wipe debts for new buyers - and use sale price to swell coffers .