Survey

Small Entrepreneur Developer Program:

Providing Individuals Access to NORA Properties

Please Complete by April 7, 2008

The New Orleans Redevelopment Authority (NORA) is creating a new Small Entrepreneur Developer program to assist small developers – both for-profit and nonprofit - in applying for and acquiring NORA-held properties that can be developed into housing. It is not aimed at the large professional developers, but those individuals and small organizations that are interested in developing 1-5 properties as a means to participate in the rebuilding of New Orleans and to tap into the economic potential of rehabilitating dilapidated houses or developing new homes on vacant lots.

NORA would be very grateful if you would take a few minutes to complete this survey. By doing so, you will provide direction to NORA in the creation of a program that includes the necessary support systems to ensure its success. All responses will be confidential.

1. What is your experience in developing housing in New Orleans in the past five years:

□ Developed more than 10 houses

□ Developed 6 - 10 houses

□ Developed 1 – 5 houses

□ Never developed housing

2. What are the biggest obstacles you experience in developing housing in New Orleans?

3. In which areas would you be interested in receiving training?

□ Budget / Pro forma Development

□ Construction Management

□ Marketing

□ Housing Design / Specification Writing

□ Financial Packaging / Available Funding Sources

□ Collaborative Project Planning

□ Legal Issues

□ Other: ______________________________

4. What is your anticipated source of funding for redevelopment projects

□ Personal Funds

□ Bank Financing

□ Government Subsidy

□ Need Funding Assistance

□ Other: _______________________________

5. In what ways could NORA assist you in developing housing? What is your anticipated source of

6. Any other comments or concerns you would like to express?

7. Please indicate your name and contact information, if you would prefer to be contacted personally.

Name _____________________________

Phone Number _________________________

316 N. Capitol Ave., Suite D-2 Lansing, MI 48933 Phone 517 483 4051 Fax 517 483 7673 E-mail: lancomme@tir.com www.lansingmicrofund.org

Thank you for completing this survey. Your input is important to NORA.

Please send the information to Amy Hovey, consultant with the Genesee Institute assisting NORA, at amyhovey@protogenia.com or fax to 810.257.3090.

No Tags

 

Broadmoor’s friends at Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government, in partnership with Bard College of New York, are planning a FREE event for the public – especially for neighborhood leaders – to help folks use data more effectively for fundraising, project implementation, project management, etc. See the email below.

Please consider attending, and kindly pass this email onto anyone else you think might benefit from attending the event. All are welcome. The free GIS training has limited space and is first-come, first-served so be sure to sign up immediately if you would like to attend this workshop. The data event at the CAC on November 3^rd has plenty of space to accommodate any who would like to attend.

For detailed information on the Nov 2 and 3 events download the following pdfs,

November 2 workshop

November 3 invitation

No Tags

Link to Word File: Homeowners & Renters Forum September 19 word document

NPN & Milneburg Traveling Forum

“Homeowners & Renters – Treated with the Same Respect, Held to the Same Standards”

Announcements: October 4, NPN will host a forum for candidates for the City Council At-large seat; submit any questions for the panel discussion to mia@npnnola.com.
If you would like to host your own traveling forum, email mia@npnnola.com

Corrections:
Greater New Orleans Fair Housing Action Center’s name was incorrect on the agenda.
New Orleans Legal Asssistance’s name was incorrect on the agenda. (more…)

Events, Housing

NPN & Milneburg Traveling Forum

“Homeowners and Renters: Treated with the same respect, Held to the same standards”

September 19, 6:00-8:00pm

UNO Lakefront Campus. Business Building Rm 165.

 

NPN’s first traveling forum will focus on the relationship between homeowners and renters living and working together in the same neighborhood in hopes of reducing the rhetoric that pits renters and homeowners against one another. Further, a discussion about the responsibility of rental property owners to maintain the quality of life and participate in the planning processes for the neighborhoods where they own property. In addition, fair housing laws and practices, and the ways in which both homeowners and renters can collaborate to ensure fair housing, which in turn will improve quality of life for all community members will be discussed.

DIRECTIONS:

If you are coming from Leon C. Simon, turn onto Milneburg Road to get onto the campus. After a few blocks, you will pass the Recreation Center on your right, and the Business Building is on your left. Go past the Business Building, and there is a parking lot on your left, facing Kirschman Hall. You can walk through Kirshman Hall to get to the Business Building.

If you are coming from Elysian Fields, turn onto Alumni Drive to get onto the campus, then go right onto Milneburg Rd. You will pass the Recreation Center on your right, and the Business Building is on your left. Go past the Business Building, and there is a parking lot on your left, facing Kirschman Hall. You can walk through Kirshman Hall to get to the Business Building.

The Milneburg Neighborhood association represents the area that spans from Filmore Street to Mexico Street/ St. Roch Ave. to Elysian Fields Ave. The Milneburg Neighborhood Association Motto is Milneburg- Clean, Quiet, Safe.

Economic Development, Events, Housing, NPN

Trainer Penny Johnson conducts a Rebuild Healthy Houses workshop on July 14th.
Photo by Crystal Celestine.Kathleen Canedo
Marketing Director at
Consolidated Safety Services, Inc.

Almost 600 people have participated in the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD’s) Rebuild Healthy Homes program since it was introduced to New Orleans in late April. This free training program was developed to instruct homeowners, contractors and volunteers in the New Orleans area how to safely rehabilitate properties damaged by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. The workshops help ensure that workers protect themselves from potentially hazardous materials and situations and are designed to significantly reduce the number of work-related injuries and illnesses. “As we work to help families rebuild their homes, we want to make certain that everyone rebuilds in the safest way possible so nobody gets hurt,” says HUD Secretary Alphonso Jackson. “This free training program will offer step-by-step instructions to rehabilitate homes safely so homeowners and other volunteers can protect themselves as they rebuild their lives.”With a goal of training several thousand participants, HUD Rebuild Healthy Homes workshops are available throughout the city to anyone who is rehabilitating or renovating a hurricane-damaged home. Teaching people to properly protect themselves while helping to rebuild New Orleans is especially helpful now that New Orleans is entering another hurricane season. “We have over 25 local trainers who are part of this program that would be thrilled to present the workshop to your community group, organization, PTA meeting, group of neighbors or business – anywhere you know there is a group of people who can benefit from learning how to safely and properly rehabilitate hurricane-damaged homes – we’ll bring the training to them,” says Crystal Celestine, Site Manager for the Rebuild Healthy Homes program. Celestine owns three properties in New Orleans that were damaged by Hurricane Katrina, so she has first-hand knowledge of just how beneficial these workshops are.Local Trainer, Erika Wimby May, has been with the Rebuild Healthy Homes program since it began and has conducted a number of workshops. “These workshops are great because they are interactive,” May says, “This is not a lecture or a seminar – but a dynamic session that includes activities and an open dialogue. Participants really enjoy the demonstrations and appreciate having a venue where they can talk about their problems with renovations. People need someone to talk to who has been through the same challenges and the participants really benefit from and like the training.”Those who participate in the training receive step-by-step instructions demonstrating safe and proper mold and lead-based paint removal; safe work habits that can prevent accidents such as heat exhaustion, electric shock, and carbon monoxide poisoning; and practical tips to identify and avoid fraudulent contractors. This guide is written in both English and Spanish and features detailed illustrations that make it simple for those rehabilitating homes to follow along as they work. HUD met with many New Orleans homeowners to determine how best to support their rebuilding efforts and developed this training program to address the high priority issues that came from these conversations. Homeowners who have returned to New Orleans cited many different reasons as to why they have not yet begun to rehabilitate their homes: some people may not have the resources to hire someone to do the work, some may be waiting for volunteers or laborers to begin work on their property, and some may want to do the work themselves, but do not know how to start the process or do it safely. The training also helps homeowners comply with local requirements as they remediate their homes. This timely training program addresses all of the most significant safety issues confronting anyone rehabilitating hurricane-damaged homes. In addition, it empowers homeowners to accelerate the rebuilding process by providing them with information on the steps needed to get started or to hire a credible contractor. The workshops increase safety awareness and help prevent illnesses—including lead poisoning, respiratory ailments, and allergic reactions—as well as accidents and injuries that can occur when rehabilitation is done without proper safety.“I found the workshop to be very educational for the homeowner who is choosing to tackle the task of preparing a house for remodeling,” said Jed Fisher, a New-Orleans area contractor with KatFish Home Improvements LLC. Fisher attended a workshop conducted by Trainer Penny Johnson on July 14th. “Not only does this workshop stress the safety aspects of how to prepare for such an undertaking, it also provides the basic knowledge of what to look for regarding structural, electrical, plumbing and mechanical (HVAC and gas) hazards that might be present in a hurricane-damaged home. This workshop also gives the homeowner important information that could help them from being taken advantage of by dishonest contractors. I recommend this workshop to every homeowner in New Orleans who is going through this challenging process.”HUD works to increase homeownership, support community development and improve access to affordable housing free from discrimination.

Housing, Trumpet Issue #8 Sept. 2007

Links:
http://www.squanderedheritage.com/
The City’s List http://www.cityofno.com/portal.aspx?tabid=118

NEW ORLEANS, LA (August 21, 2007) - Tomorrow, the City of New Orleans will begin a four-day drive during which New Orleanians whose properties have been cited as imminent health threats will be able to provide the required documentation to inspectors to qualify for removal from the Imminent Health Threat demolition lists. Citizens may participate whether they are currently living in New Orleans or elsewhere.

This four-day drive is part of the Imminent Health Threat Demolition Resident Assistance Program. The program was launched on August 15 and is designed to educate property owners on the process and criteria for removing a property from the Imminent Health Threat demolition list.

Property owners may bring proof and documentation of remediation to two locations in New Orleans Wednesday through Saturday and one location in Houston on Saturday. Documentation also may be sent by certified mail.

Property Removal Criteria

Property owners must provide proof and documentation (photos, in mail or in person, that shows the following:

* The property has been gutted and contents have been removed
* Grass is cut in the front, back, and side yards
* All doors closed and secured

Locations

From Wednesday, August 22 through Saturday, August 25, property owners may submit their documentation at the following locations from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.:

New Orleans, LA

Office of Code Enforcement

1340 Poydras Street, Suite 1100

St. Bernard Recreation Center

1500 Lafreniere Street

Houston, TX

Journey Home Center

3611 Ennis Street, Suite 113/114

Houston, TX 77004

By certified mail to:

Office of Code Enforcement,

1340 Poydras Street, Suite 1100

New Orleans, LA 70112.

Government, History, Housing

New Orleans Survivor Council and Residents of Public Housing:

* Vanita Roger, Lower Ninth Ward low-income homeowner, New Orleans Survivor Council Leadership Committee. (504) 208-7290
* Theophilus Moore, B.W. Cooper member of Residents of Public Housing Leadership Committee and New Orleans Survivor Council Leadership Commitee. (504) 609-5725
* Odessia Lewis, Lafitte member of Residents of Public Housing Leadership Commitee and New Orleans Survivor Council Leadership Committee. (504) 975-0753
* Ishmael Muhammad, 6th Ward renter and member of New Orleans Survivor Council and Residents of Public Housing Organizing Committee, People’s Organizing Committee. (404) 664-3009 cell

On August 28, 2007, starting at 12 noon, we have a group of public housing residents who will be occupying the HANO/HUD building on 4100 Touro Street. They will be taking over those offices with a list of public housing units that will be opened before they leave those offices . . .

Events, Housing

1-888-294-2822 for more information

Landlords, Help Us Help You. Fill Your Vacant Rentals Today!
Help Bring Our Neighbors Home…
List Your Available Rentals with FEMA

FEMA’s Rental Resources Department has collected a list of more than 4,500
available rental units in the state of Louisiana. We need your help to expand
our list.

If you are a landlord, property owner and/or manager and have an available
apartment or house, please contact FEMA at 1-888-294-2822 and let us know about
it. (more…)

Economic Development, Fema, Housing, landlord, rental

Today’s cover story in the New York Times deals with the crisis of
rental housing facing New Orleans.
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/07/12/us/nationalspecial/12exile.html?ref=us

On Wednesday evening, July 18th, at 6:30pm, we’ve got an opportunity
to take action on this issue.

At its last board meeting, the Louisiana Recovery Authority (LRA)
voted to cut $21.1 million in funding for rental programs. That
funding would have created over 500 units of affordable rental
housing. That’s 500 families who will not have affordable housing
because of one irresponsible decision by the LRA. (more…)

No Tags

Please join us for the Road Home Unconference on Saturday, July 28th,
2007 from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm at the Lindy C. Boggs Conference Center
at the University of New Orleans.

http://thinknola.com/instiki/wiki/show/Road+Home+Unconference

The Road Home Unconference is produced by Think New Orleans, the New
Orleans Housing Resource Center, and Mothership Foundation.

Please register now!

http://thinknola.eventwax.com/road-home-unconference/register
(more…)

No Tags