Although the housing situation in New Orleans has reached crisis proportions, this is one area in which many aspects of the problem have the potential to
become parts of the solution. For example, fixing up vacant and blighted properties will help to address the problems of low home ownership rates and the dearth of affordable rental units.The top
priority of the Housing and Neighborhood Development Task Force is also one of the overall CBNO/MAC priority issues: the creation of a Citywide Computerized Property Inventory Database. Working with several
City agencies, other nonprofits and GIS experts, CBNO/MAC is collecting essential data on every piece of real property in Orleans Parish, and is compiling it in a standardized, electronic format. The data will be
made freely accessible to the public via a specific, stand-alone web site. Among the individual pieces of information included are street address, property owner, owner's address, zoning, land use, size and
condition of the property (which will included specific designation of blight, if applicable), encumbrances, tax status, and value. The Property Inventory Database is expected to be completed and available by May
2003. The goals from the Housing and Neighborhood Development Task Force's Action Plan, as detailed in the Blueprint for a Better New Orleans, are as follows:
1.0 Vacant and blighted property. Vacant and
blighted properties are public safety hazards, eyesores and barriers to neighborhood revitalization. Eliminating these pervasive problem properties from New Orleans is essential to reclaiming and maintaining
the City's unique neighborhoods.Reclaim neighborhoods by reducing the number of blighted properties (lots and vacant buildings) through
renovation and redevelopment, with demolition as a last resort. 2.0 Neighborhood revitalization. Nothing defines New Orleans' character so much as its rich variety of neighborhoods. To maintain these treasures, the citizens themselves must be in charge of
preserving their heritage and charting their future, and must have the information, tools and resources to take on this responsibility.
Strengthen the capacity of our citizens to define, develop and maintain attractive and vibrant neighborhoods.
3.0 Increasing the rate of home ownership. In that it gives people both a much larger stake in the future of their neighborhoods as well as a
platform for their own economic advancement, home ownership is widely considered a key to community health and revitalization. New Orleans must increase dramatically its rate of home ownership.Significantly increase the rate of home ownership for low to middle income residents through a combination of public and private initiatives addressing home
finance and education, as well as livable and affordable supply of housing stock. 4.0 Affordable rental housing. Renters will always be part of the housing equation. As the City aims to reduce residential density in the housing developments, additional rental properties will be
needed in neighborhoods throughout New Orleans. A particular pitfall to avoid in this process is clustering of low-income renters. Low to moderate income residents, the elderly and the homeless are
specific populations with particular rental needs.Increase the supply of affordable rental housing by increasing resources and removing barriers
for low to moderate income housing (including special needs populations) in mixed income areas.
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