Vote YES for Housing Trust Fund (Parishwide HRC Amendment No. 1) on the November 5th Ballot!

Andreanecia Morris Executive Director HousingNOLA

The November 5th election will be historic in many ways and New Orleans can make history too. For the first time in the city’s history, citizens are considering a dedicated revenue for Affordable Housing. Instead of levying a new tax, the people of New Orleans have demanded that city officials use existing funds strategically and prioritize keeping its citizens housed safely. This new Housing Trust Fund (Parish-wide HRC Amendment No. 1) will allow the city to respond to the crises’ that are the most pressing while giving New Orleans a chance to plan long-term on guaranteed revenue.

The New Orleans Housing Crisis has become more drastic the last few years. African Americans, seniors, families, and women have been especially hard-hit by the recent rise in homelessness with a 5% increase in homelessness over last year (to 1,545). Family homelessness has soared 69% in the past two years and homelessness among Black people has risen 7% this past year. Climate change intensified hurricanes and rain events drove increases in utility costs—creating a population burdened by utility debt. Since the COVID-19 Pandemic, sky high insurance rates, property taxes and construction costs have contributed to the historic housing insecurity. This means that we need to increase our investment in housing without increases housing costs. The answer is simple: a Housing Trust Fund using existing revenue that guarantees the amount available every single year and builds in transparency and accountability for every dollar spent.

The power of repetition tells us that you may have to say something seven times for someone to act. For the seventh year in a row, the 2024 HousingNOLA Report Card shared a failing grade for New Orleans in its efforts to meet the most fundamental needs of its citizens: Housing. There is no better example of New Orleans stopping itself from being all it can be – than the crisis the people are facing when it comes to keeping their housing.

That’s why Amendment No. 1 on the November 5th ballot is so important. If voters approve the ballot measure this November, it will amend the City Charter to require an investment of at least two percent of the City’s Annual General Operating Budget into the HTF and create the flexibility to fund Affordable Housing projects our city desperately needs, expand programs to help first-time homebuyers, rehab rental units and provide financial support to Affordable Housing. It is the best way to communicate our demand of our leaders that they put people first and #PutHousingFirst!

Living here is the baseline requirement for being a New Orleanian, yet most of the people who live here cannot afford it. What would New Orleans be without them? Sadly, we may find out, because we continue to fail them when it comes to Affordable Housing. The numbers are in, and we aren’t doing enough when it comes to creating a system implementing the strategies that are necessary to give people the chance to stay and thrive. We can take an extraordinary step forward by voting YES for Housing Trust Fund (Parish-wide HRC Amendment No. 1) on the November 5th ballot!