New Orleans, LA — The Louisiana Housing Corporation (LHC) and partners awarded $2.4M through the National Housing Trust Fund (NHTF) to fund the St. Claude Gardens Phase II, which will include 39 affordable housing units that will be built by the New Orleans-based disaster recovery nonprofit SBP utilizing sustainable, resilient, and energy-efficient measures.
The location of this future development is scattered throughout the Lower Ninth Ward, an area still recovering from Hurricane Katrina. SBP and partners targeted this area, aiming to revitalize it. St. Claude Gardens Phase II will serve as a scattered-site development, featuring rental properties that are two- and three-bedroom duplexes.
Each unit will be built under the IBHS Fortified Gold Certification, which is a standard for building and roofing techniques that provide superior protection from hurricanes and extreme weather events. The homes at St. Claude Gardens II will also be built with metal framing to increase safety and durability during storms. Utilizing these techniques will offer residents greater protection as well as significant insurance premium reductions, with up to 60% savings over wood framing construction.
"We know that storms and natural disasters will plague Louisiana in the future, so we must prepare and maintain our affordable housing livestock," said LHC Executive Director Marjorianna Willman. "Adopting the IBHS Fortified Certifications shows results that homes built up to certain standards and materials can protect a family's home. We hope other developers follow suit in this endeavor to protect the residents of Louisiana."
A residential coordinator employed by SBP will be placed at St. Claude Gardens II to serve as an educator, community builder, resident liaison, and service facilitator to help residents acclimate. 100% of the homes will incorporate solar panels to reduce energy costs and minimize their environmental footprint.
“SBP is thrilled to partner with the Louisiana Housing Corporation to provide resilient, energy-efficient, fortified housing designed not only to sustain extreme weather but also to offer accessible, quality homeownership and rental options for families living in the Lower Ninth Ward who might otherwise be priced out of the housing market,” said SBP New Orleans Executive Director Kenneth Morgan, Jr.
Other partners involved in developing St. Claude Gardens Phase II include The City of New Orleans-Office of Community Development, Lowe's, Travelers Insurance, Bank Plus, and New Orleans Redevelopment Authority.
To learn more about the project, click the link: SBP Developments
Breanne Bizette
Public Information Officer, Louisiana Housing Corporation
