Sustainable Redevelopment Projects in New Orleans
In March 2007, RCI traveled to New Orleans to learn about community
needs and identify the ways in which we could contribute to the city’s sustainable
redevelopment. We discovered that, sixteen months after the worst disaster in U.S. history, tens of thousands of
uninhabitable homes still sat vacant. In low-income neighborhoods, which were severely
damaged, only a fraction of residents and businesses had returned.
Unfortunately, not much has improved since we arrived six months ago. A shortage of skilled
and unskilled construction workers hampers the rebuilding effort. Construction costs are up
20% to 40%. Energy costs skyrocketed 35%
after Hurricane Katrina.
While the cost spikes hurt all residents, they are particularly hard on low-income
households who tend to live in resource-inefficient housing and have little discretionary
income with which to rebuild their homes and lives. In fact, some of our low-income clients have
told us that they must forgo buying medicine and food in order to pay their utility bills.
Many fear that the economically disadvantaged will be priced out of the new
New Orleans.
With the shortage and high cost of contractors, most low-income homeowners are tackling
storm repairs themselves. We discovered an urgent need for programs that assist low-income
homeowners in rebuilding safe, resource-efficient, affordable homes. Hence, our “three-week”
assessment trip turned into six months, and it appears that we’ll be in New Orleans for
quite some time.
RCI has formed alliances with established organizations, so that we leverage our resources
and ensure that our sustainable-redevelopment expertise is put to the best use in projects
that provide the most benefit to hurricane survivors. Green rebuilding initiatives are now
underway in every sector of New Orleans, targeting homeowners, renters, builders, and
policy makers.
A summary of our partnerships and programs is listed under Strategic Partnerships. By far, the program to which
we’ve devoted the most energy is our “Green Weatherization Pilot Program” for low-income
homeowners read more...
Our newest project is developing an online guide to help residents and others to locate
green resources in New Orleans read more...
We are grateful for the lessons that we’re learning from New Orleanians. Despite losing
their belongings, mementos, homes, churches, jobs and friends, New Orleanians exude
optimism and a zest for life. The challenges of the disaster are being met with a
resilience that is beyond admirable. Citizens who have been so poorly served by elected
officials have found their voice and power in neighborhood associations. Activists who have
long fought for social, economic, and environmental justice are now being supported by
people from all over the world who’ve come to New Orleans to help. We are grateful for the
daily lessons about the goodness of people, and are reminded of a wise observation by Margaret
Mead, with which we will close:
“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.”
Map of Hurricane Katrina
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