Post-Katrina Programs a Blueprint for Housing the Working Class

The housing initiatives developed after Hurricane Katrina teach valuable lessons for post-pandemic affordable housing production.

2 minute read

September 7, 2021, 10:00 AM PDT

By Diana Ionescu @aworkoffiction


New Orleans

Pierre Jean Durieu / Shutterstock

"Skyrocketing rents over the last decade combined with housing developments geared toward the wealthy have pushed musicians, artists and hospitality and service industry workers further and further from their jobs in the French Quarter, CBD and Marigny" neighborhoods of New Orleans, writes Sarah Ravits. "And now, the COVID-19 pandemic and looming evictions once again have thousands of New Orleanians desperate and frustrated."

But 16 years after Hurricane Katrina devastated the city, "New Orleans has something of a road map to follow" when it comes to creating more affordable housing. Ravits highlights examples such as Musicians' Village, a Habitat for Humanity project that built housing for 70 residents who lost their homes in Katrina, as proof that "it’s possible to create quality, long-term affordable housing for the artists and workers who are the backbone of New Orleans."

Casius Pealer, director of Tulane’s Master of Sustainable Real Estate Development program, says the biggest lesson from post-Katrina housing "is similar to the housing lesson we have learned in the pandemic: Housing is infrastructure." Musicians' Village "was a unique partnership between private funders, nonprofits and government which were able to come together in a remarkably short period of time to solve an enormous problem."

"As housing continued to be a challenge, other projects took form in the years immediately following Katrina. These housing initiatives were designed to help subsidize and support the city’s creatives and low- to medium-income earners." HousingNOLA’s Executive Director Andreanecia Morris "sees New Orleans as a place that could set a national standard on how to get its working class into reliable houses. The city’s previous experience with rebuilding and some of its post-Katrina developments could be inspirational to other struggling cities who are also experiencing a housing crisis."

Monday, August 23, 2021 in NOLA.com

Single-family homes in a suburban neighborhood in Florida.

New Florida Law Curbs HOA Power

The legislation seeks to cut down on ‘absurd’ citations for low-level violations.

June 16, 2024 - The Guardian

Multistory apartment building under construction.

New Tennessee Law Allows No-Cost Incentives for Affordable Housing

Local governments in the Volunteer State can now offer developers incentives like increased density, lower parking requirements, and priority permitting for affordable housing projects.

June 10, 2024 - Nooga Today

Aerial view of intersection in New York City with yellow cabs and zebra crosswalks.

Planners’ Complicity in Excessive Traffic Deaths

Professor Wes Marshall’s provocatively-titled new book, "Killed by a Traffic Engineer," has stimulated fierce debates. Are his criticisms justified? Let’s examine the degree that traffic engineers contribute to avoidable traffic deaths.

June 13, 2024 - Todd Litman

Brick high-rise apartment buildings in New York City

Study: Housing Crisis is About Affordability, not Supply

New research shows that there is no overall shortage of housing units, but all U.S. metropolitan areas face a severe lack of affordable units for low-income renters.

June 18 - University of Kansas

Couple on one side of desk with banker on other side looking at paperwork.

Are Race-Based Lawsuits Affecting Community Lenders?

Shelterforce spoke with community lending leaders and experts about the current mood across the sector. What, if anything, are organizations doing to avoid becoming the next target of conservative activists?

June 18 - Shelterforce Magazine

Rendering of Glory Park in Lewisville, Texas.

New Park Promotes Community and Connectivity in Lewisville, Texas

The city of Lewisville just celebrated the opening of Glory Park/Parque la Gloria, helping to improve park access and the quality of life for residents.

June 18 - Lewisville Leader

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.