As the nation grapples with the uncertainty of an incoming administration, the City of New Orleans reminds us of the power of community efforts in driving local, tangible change.
The City of New Orleans recently celebrated a significant victory with approval of Ord. No. 29828, M.C.S.— a Home Rule Charter amendment that establishes the Housing Trust Fund.
The approved Charter change requires the City to dedicate funding equal to 2% of the total value of its General Fund value to support affordable housing every year. In 2024, the City’s fund was more than $814 million. Had this legislation already been in place, then at least $16M would have been budgeted in 2024 to further affordable housing in New Orleans.
Rising housing costs and insurance premiums have squeezed residents’ finances, especially since Hurricane Ida. By approving the Housing Trust Fund, New Orleanians sent a clear message about the value they place on housing security and the persistent nature of the need.
This win exemplifies how local initiatives can generate real, positive impacts for communities. By prioritizing affordable housing, local voters in New Orleans have set a meaningful precedent for how communities can lead the way in fostering equitable and sustainable solutions
TCG Recommended a Housing Trust Fund in a 10-Year Plan for the City
Approval of the Housing Trust Fund ensures that critical resources are allocated to address the city's pressing affordable housing needs. The approval came just four months after Mayor LaToya Cantrell’s Office of Community Development and Office of Community Assets and Investment released a 10-year plan, developed by Thomas Consulting Group (TCG) in partnership with the City’s affordable housing partners, both public and private.
To create a tailored plan for New Orleans, our team spent six months intensively collaborating with institutional partners (the Mayor's Office of Community Development, the New Orleans Redevelopment Authority, Finance New Orleans, and the Housing Authority of New Orleans) actively promoting affordability. We conducted focus groups with builders, developers, and advocates and administered a city-wide survey to understand needs and create solutions.
Through data analysis, interviews with key housing leaders, and a detailed review of current housing programs, TCG provided actionable recommendations to improve the city’s housing landscape. The recommendations call for increased local funding, greater coordination between housing agencies, and reforms to zoning and land use policies.
The plan was positively received by the community, developers, and housing advocates, who played an integral role in shaping the plan. A key recommendation within the plan was the establishment of a Housing Trust Fund. This fund will generate an estimated $17 million per year starting in 2026.
Supporting a Vision for New Orleans
TCG is honored to have partnered with the City of New Orleans during this important period of planning and vision-setting, and to see the community's overwhelming support reflected in the outcome. Our expertise and strategic approaches have consistently supported meaningful policy developments through collaboration with key community partners.
TCG’s work with the New Orleans Public Library demonstrates how thoughtful planning can lay the foundation for transformative change. In 2020, the New Orleans Public Library Foundation, on behalf of the Library Board of Directors, engaged TCG to prepare a 10-year strategic plan for the New Orleans Public Library. In 2021, with over 70% of residents voting in favor, the approved library millage renewal secures funding to serve the community for the next two decades.
Grassroots Community Support + Local Institutions
Recent measures show community organizations and local government taking the lead in meeting housing needs. San Francisco's Prop G will dedicate over $8.25 million annually to rental subsidies for seniors, families, and people with disabilities.
Orange County's Charter Amendment 2 ensures continuation of its 2020 Affordable Housing Trust Fund. Local initiatives and community support are likely to prove even more indispensable in securing stable funding for housing solutions.
Local victories should remind us that even in a climate marked by political polarization and social division, progress can be made through sustained effort and authentic engagement.
The vision for affordable housing in New Orleans reflects a shift from viewing housing as solely an individual responsibility to embracing it as a community-wide commitment. New Orleans’ Housing Trust Fund is a timely example of what is possible when the community unites.
Over 75% of voters approved the amendment, demonstrating overwhelming support for ensuring that all residents have access to affordable, stable housing.