NEW ORLEANS - At yesterday's regular meeting, the City Council approved four land use items that will bolster New Orleans's housing availability, each in different but significant ways. Councilmember Jay H. Banks has been consistently committed to this steady approach of reactivating existing housing stock and creating new opportunities close to jobs. These positive steps were made with the support of the full Council, including Councilmember Joseph I. Giarrusso's tactful approval of four units of established multi-family housing in District A and Councilmember Kristin Gisleson Palmer's recognition of the importance of historic and affordable tax credits.

Agenda items included Zoning Dockets 28/20, 45/20, 47/20, and Ordinance Calendar Number 32,943 (ZD 112/19). Three were applications for established multi-family housing, which will be up for potential expansion at the July 16 Council meeting (ZD 41/20). The fourth was a conditional use application for over 20,000 square feet of commercial space downtown at the Two Saints development. In approving such a large indoor amusement facility and restaurant, Councilmember Banks made it clear that the developer's benefits were contingent on significant benefits to housing affordability and neighborhood integrity.

In total, over 200 housing units - at different levels of affordability - were approved at today's meeting. From four-plexes uptown to modern co-living apartments in the CBD, each of these developments will contribute to the dire need for housing we're facing. As Councilmember Banks said, "we're not ready to spike the ball, but we've certainly made forward progress."

"Creating and preserving affordable housing is the foundation for our residents and communities to thrive. Even during the midst of a pandemic, this Council is committed to ensuring neighborhoods across the city have more housing options," said Councilmember Kristin Palmer. "I applaud Councilmember Banks and his staff for increasing our affordable housing stock and welcoming a new development that will provide jobs to New Orleanians."

"Today, we renewed housing stock in the heart of the Hollygrove neighborhood. This 4-unit apartment building sat empty for a decade. Not only are we bringing a vacant multi-family property back into commerce, we're also providing improved drainage and off-street parking -- a win-win for the neighborhood and the city as a whole," said Councilmember Joe Giarrusso.

###

Media Contact:

Jenna D. Burke

Director of Land Use

Councilmember Jay H. Banks, District B

Jenna.Burke@nola.gov

(504) 658-1021