Housing
OVERVIEW
Homes are the key building blocks of every community. Hurricane Katrina and the levee failures demolished many of these building blocks and we are now trying to put them back together. The Unified New Orleans Plan — shepherded and supported by the Greater New Orleans Foundation — identified the lack of quality, affordable housing as the primary obstacle to recovery in the city. In response, the Foundation brought together 22 local and national foundations to create a five-year, $25 million initiative called the Community Revitalization Fund.
The Community Revitalization Fund has three main goals: 1) increase housing production, 2) strengthen the affordable housing sector as a whole, and 3) promote smart growth development principles. The Community Revitalization Fund awards grants to local nonprofits, sector-serving organizations, government, and advocacy groups that are working to promote equitable and effective housing development.
OUR WORK
Goals and Objectives (learn more)
Annual Reports & Program Reports (learn more)
Grants Awarded (learn more)
SNAPSHOTS
Creative Solutions to Workforce Housing, President and CEO of GNO, Inc., Michael Hecht
As an economic development organization for the Greater New Orleans region, GNO, Inc. is well attuned to the needs of both businesses and workers. Thanks to a $50,000 grant from the Greater New Orleans Foundation’s Community Revitalization Read More >>
It’s called employer assisted housing. A company spends money up front to help their employees get into permanent housing through a rental subsidy or a stipend toward a down payment on a house.
“The employee benefits by having the opportunity to get into more stable housing; companies benefit by having a more stable workforce; and the community benefits by having more homeownership and increased regional retention,” says GNO, Inc. President and CEO Michael Hecht.
“This is a perfect example of a philanthropic investment that will have long-term benefits. A thriving community is one where people have access to decent jobs and affordable housing, and the beauty of this program is it unites the two,” says Ellen Lee, senior vice president of programs at the Greater New Orleans Foundation, who oversees the Foundation’s housing work through the Community Revitalization Fund.
This is one example of many creative and strategic housing and economic development grants from the Community Revitalization Fund at the Greater New Orleans Foundation. To date, the Fund has allowed 8,500 families to move back into their homes and has attracted an investment of $21 million from national and local partners.
Energizing the Neighborhood, Executive Director of Jericho Road Episcopal Housing Initiative, Brad Powers
Brad Powers believes a vibrant community starts with resident engagement. “We’re not just building houses, we’re also helping organize residents around each other to energize the neighborhood,” Powers says about their work in Central City. Read More >>
“Working lot by lot, we learn the lessons and the hurdles involved in community development, and then we share that knowledge with others working throughout the city.”
Jericho Road is working proactively to fight blight by transforming vacant lots into community gardens and playgrounds. “We have found cleaning up the worst lots in a neighborhood often inspires others to step forward and take care of their own properties and other vacant lots nearby,” says Powers.
Creative Housing Solutions Senior Vice President, Enterprise Corporation of the Delta
Gary Williams and the Enterprise Corporation of the Delta are committed to making sure there is enough decent affordable housing. Read More >>
“The regular citizens—teachers, police officers, first-time home buyers, restaurant and hotel workers—drive a significant part of the economy here. When we provide an affordable, decent, and safe place to live for these folks, we are supporting the local economy.”
Through their Mid-South Equity Fund, they’re matching developers with low-income housing tax credits, which will result in at least 500 new affordable housing units in the Greater New Orleans region over the next three to five years.”
Landrieu, Tombar Talk Affordable Housing at GNOF Conference
The Greater New Orleans Foundation’s 2010 Housing Conference brought together Mayor Mitch Landrieu and HUD Senior Advisor Fred Tombar to celebrate the work of GNOF’s Community Revitalization Fund and to discuss the achievements, challenges, and opportunities regarding affordable housing in New Orleans. Read More >>
What is the help for downpayments asistence for you to purchase a house
Dear Mitchell,
We are a community foundation and do not have specific rental information about the housing you are inquiring about. If you are looking to rent an apartment we recommend you contact one of these newly developed apartment complexes, they all have a range of rents and apartment sizes. Examples: Harmony Oaks, the Muses, Columbia Parc or the Crescent Club.
There’s also HANO for more information about housing in New Orleans.
I hope this helps.
how do i apply for housing orleans ave ,bienville ,lopez street
Felton,
We are a community foundation and do not have specific rental information about the housing you are inquiring about. If you are looking to rent an apartment we recommend you may contact one of these newly developed apartment complexes, they all have a range of rents and apartment sizes: Harmony Oaks, the Muses, Columbia Parc, or the Crescent Club. For more information, you may also research housing in New Orleans through HANO.
New Home Request Letter
1/18/2011
To Whom It May Concern:
We are interested in affordable housing for me and my mother in New Orleans, preferably uptown. My mother is 92 years old. I am 51. We are both disabled. I am her caregiver.
She currently owns a home, but it is not conducive to her needs. It is a 2 story home that is in very good shape, but may require upgrades to air conditioning, heating, plumbing and wiring. She cannot afford these upgrades, though the home is very nice and big. The home is in highly-elevated Uptown. Furthermore, she needs a home that she can get around better.
We are looking for a new home to rent or possibly purchase that is one level, and upgraded with a modern infrastructure that is more appropriate for an elderly person. Though purchasing may be an option, we would have to sell her current home first. We are still reluctant to doing this because of the ongoing cost of taxes and insurance.
Please let us know if you can assist us in finding a home, community or suitable program. We are not in immediate need, but are hopeful to make such a move in 6 – 9 months.
If you cannot assist, please let me know of other communities and developments which may be more appropriate.
Warm Regards,
Kevin,
Unfortunately, we cannot provide direct assistance to individuals, but we recommend you do some research in order to understand your options. Please consider the following resources: the Preservation Resource Center (504) 581-7032, Volunteers of America senior housing, New Orleans Council on Aging (504) 821-4121, Jericho Road Episcopal Housing Initiative, and possibly discuss with a real estate agent options for the property in which you currently reside and the possibilities of renting or selling.