In a move to bolster efforts against the city's housing crisis, the New Orleans City Council has given the green light to a funding package that will see the addition of approximately 600 affordable housing units in Districts B and C. The decision was made possible through the utilization of capital outlay bonds earmarked explicitly for construction endeavors, ensuring the city's budget for general purposes remains untouched. As noted in a statement by the New Orleans City Council, this strategic move brings to the forefront a collection of housing projects, namely Rivana, BW Cooper, NSA, and Esplanade DeLille, all aimed at widening the scope of housing options for a variety of residents, from working families to seniors on fixed incomes.
The funding approval, steered by Council member Lesli Harris, earmarked Prime 3 State CDBG gap funding for three major housing developments: Rivana, BW Cooper, and the NSA development, while setting aside $1.5 million in HOME funds for Esplanade DeLille this year. The Rivana project promises at least 165 affordable units out of a total of 220 in the River District, part of a broader initiative to construct 900 residential units. BW Cooper is set to offer 103 affordable units exclusively for seniors. The bygone Naval Support Activity site, otherwise known as NSA, will be reanimated with 294 affordable housing units. Finally, Esplanade DeLille in Tremé will balance the scales with a mix of 37 affordable and 15 market-rate apartments.
"These developments are the direct result of strong collaboration between the city, state and our development partners," Council member Lesli Harris stated. She emphasized the concerted efforts that led to these projects, underscoring the vision for a fair housing infrastructure, where affordability doesn't remain a promise but a tangible outcome for the people of New Orleans, as stated on the New Orleans City Council website.
These initiatives align with the city's housing strategy, harnessing multiple sources of funding, from bonds to grants, and for smaller-scale projects, the Housing Trust Fund. Harris highlighted the potential for future projects facilitated by Proposition 1, which, if approved by voters on November 15, would secure a $45 million bond exclusively for affordable housing. “By approving the $45 million affordable housing bond on the Nov. 15 ballot, voters can ensure we continue to fund developments like Rivana, NSA, BW Cooper and Esplanade DeLille — projects that create real, lasting affordability for New Orleans families,” Harris added. This represented another stride in affirming the city's dedication to an inclusive, financially accessible New Orleans for all its residents.
