Mayor LaToya Cantrell will begin an affordable housing tour in New Orleans Wednesday through seven neighborhoods. Cantrell said she will highlight plans to spend $24 million in Community Block Grants from the state to create new low-rent options for residents. The new funding is budgeted to create 642 new rentals, including the construction of large-scale affordable housing developments. Cantrell said the shortage of affordable housing in felt across the city."Affordability needs to be accessible everywhere, in every neighborhood," Cantrell said. "It means a house that all people can afford no matter where their price point is."The Greater New Orleans Housing Alliance, a community-led activist group, said the investment is a start, but will not come close to meeting the needs of the community."We're ecstatic that these projects are finally moving forward, but we have to take a hard look at this and say, 'What's next?'" said Andreanecia Morris, president and chair of the Greater New Orleans Housing Alliance.According to the group's most recent housing study, they estimate that 33,600 additional affordable housing units will be needed in New Orleans by the year 2025.Cantrell said the city has $600 million total to address the shortage, including investments from multiple partners. She said a bond proposal on the New Orleans ballot in November would fund more infrastructure improvements, including construction of affordable housing.

Mayor LaToya Cantrell will begin an affordable housing tour in New Orleans Wednesday through seven neighborhoods. Cantrell said she will highlight plans to spend $24 million in Community Block Grants from the state to create new low-rent options for residents.

The new funding is budgeted to create 642 new rentals, including the construction of large-scale affordable housing developments. Cantrell said the shortage of affordable housing in felt across the city.


"Affordability needs to be accessible everywhere, in every neighborhood," Cantrell said. "It means a house that all people can afford no matter where their price point is."

The Greater New Orleans Housing Alliance, a community-led activist group, said the investment is a start, but will not come close to meeting the needs of the community.

"We're ecstatic that these projects are finally moving forward, but we have to take a hard look at this and say, 'What's next?'" said Andreanecia Morris, president and chair of the Greater New Orleans Housing Alliance.

According to the group's most recent housing study, they estimate that 33,600 additional affordable housing units will be needed in New Orleans by the year 2025.

Cantrell said the city has $600 million total to address the shortage, including investments from multiple partners. She said a bond proposal on the New Orleans ballot in November would fund more infrastructure improvements, including construction of affordable housing.