New Orleans Office of Community Development
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| New Orleans Office of Community Development | |
|---|---|
| Name | New Orleans Office of Community Development |
| Type | Municipal agency |
| Formed | 1980s |
| Jurisdiction | New Orleans, Orleans Parish, Louisiana |
| Headquarters | New Orleans City Hall |
| Chief1 name | Executive Director |
| Parent agency | City of New Orleans |
New Orleans Office of Community Development is a municipal agency within the City of New Orleans responsible for coordinating neighborhood revitalization, affordable housing, community planning, and recovery initiatives across Orleans Parish. The office interfaces with federal entities such as the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development and state bodies including the Louisiana Governor's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness while collaborating with local institutions like Tulane University, Xavier University of Louisiana, and community development organizations. Its work has been prominent in the wake of events such as Hurricane Katrina, Hurricane Ida (2021), and major infrastructure projects including the Big Easy Rendezvous era of planning.
History
The office traces roots to urban renewal and community action programs of the late 20th century, linking to initiatives influenced by the Community Development Block Grant Program administered by United States Department of Housing and Urban Development and federal responses to crises such as Hurricane Andrew. Its role expanded after Hurricane Katrina when coordination with the Federal Emergency Management Agency, the Road Home Program, and the Rebuild by Design competition reshaped recovery policy in New Orleans East, the Lower Ninth Ward, and the Bywater. Post-Katrina reforms involved interactions with the Louisiana Recovery Authority, the Bring Back New Orleans Commission, and philanthropic actors such as the Kresge Foundation and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The office adapted during subsequent events including Hurricane Isaac (2012) and Hurricane Ida (2021), aligning with the National Flood Insurance Program and regional planning efforts such as the Southeast Louisiana Flood Protection Authority.
Organization and Leadership
The office is structured under the Mayor of New Orleans’s administration, reporting through citywide departments that include housing, economic development, and planning. Leadership historically has interacted with mayors from the administrations of Marc Morial, Ray Nagin, Mitch Landrieu, LaToya Cantrell, and others, and has partnered with directors from agencies like the Department of Safety and Permits and the Office of Resilience and Sustainability. Senior staff routinely coordinate with federal representatives such as members of the United States Congress from Louisiana's 2nd congressional district and state legislators in the Louisiana State Legislature. Advisory boards and commissions include stakeholders from Greater New Orleans, Inc., Make It Right Foundation, and neighborhood associations across the French Quarter, Garden District, and Central City.
Programs and Services
The office administers programs funded by the Community Development Block Grant Program, the HOME Investment Partnerships Program, and Emergency Solutions Grants to deliver services including affordable housing preservation in neighborhoods like the Tremé and Gentilly, small business support near the St. Claude Avenue corridor, and workforce development tied to institutions such as Nunez Community College and Loyola University New Orleans. It oversees rental assistance initiatives, homeowner rehabilitation projects, and community planning efforts connected to the Urban League of Greater New Orleans, Habitat for Humanity New Orleans, and Operation Help. Programmatic partnerships extend to cultural organizations including the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival organizers and arts groups in the Bywater Art District.
Disaster Recovery and Resilience Efforts
Disaster recovery responsibilities intensified after Hurricane Katrina, involving grants from the Federal Emergency Management Agency and layered coordination with the Louisiana Recovery Authority and initiatives such as the Unified New Orleans Plan. The office has implemented resilience strategies aligned with the Resilient Cities Network and collaborated with research centers at Louisiana State University and Tulane School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine on flood mitigation, buyout programs, and elevation assistance in flood-prone zones like Lower Garden District and Lakeview. Projects have addressed evacuation planning in coordination with Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development and sheltering protocols with American Red Cross and Catholic Charities USA.
Funding and Budget
Funding streams include federal allocations through the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development’s block grants, state appropriations from the State of Louisiana, local budgetary allocations approved by the New Orleans City Council, and philanthropic contributions from entities such as the Kresge Foundation and the Ford Foundation. Major budget items have supported programs administered in partnership with the New Orleans Redevelopment Authority and contracted services with nonprofit providers including East Jefferson General Hospital outreach programs and St. Bernard Project. Fiscal oversight intersects with audits by the Office of Inspector General (United States) and reporting requirements under federal statutes like the Stafford Act.
Partnerships and Community Engagement
The office engages neighborhood groups such as the Lower Ninth Ward Neighborhood Empowerment Network, business leaders from Restaurant Row clusters, civic organizations like the League of Women Voters of New Orleans, and academic partners including Dillard University and University of New Orleans. Collaborative initiatives include community planning charrettes with design firms, coordination with the Regional Transit Authority of New Orleans, and housing preservation efforts with Enterprise Community Partners and the Local Initiatives Support Corporation. Engagement processes have involved public hearings before the New Orleans City Planning Commission and consultations with tribal entities when relevant.
Impact and Criticism
The office’s interventions have supported rebuilding of housing, revivification of commercial corridors, and allocation of recovery funds to neighborhoods across Orleans Parish, contributing to policy dialogues involving the Brookings Institution, Urban Institute, and civil rights groups such as the ACLU of Louisiana. Criticisms have centered on distributional equity of resources, timeliness of grant disbursement, and coordination challenges highlighted in reports by the Government Accountability Office and investigative coverage by outlets including The Times-Picayune and Gambit (magazine). Debates have referenced landmark cases and policy disputes involving the Road Home Program and redevelopment projects tied to organizations such as Make It Right Foundation.