Request for Proposals from General Contractors to Build Houses for NONDC
NONDC has been awarded federal funds for construction of affordable housing. As part of a city-wide consortium, NONDC received a grant award from the Neighborhood Stabilization Program 2, a federal program aimed at construction in disinvested neighborhoods. NONDC was awarded this money partly for the purposes of developing approximately 15 affordable homes, which will be built in batches of 2-8 houses at a time. The construction of these homes must conform to the required regulations regarding bonding, insurance, labor practices, and other applicable rules. These homes must be built to the green-building standards set out by the Builder’s Challenge and Green Communities Criteria.
Find more information by checking out our 2012 RFP section of the website. Additionally, home plans can be found there as well.
Mission Accomplished: Four New NSP2 Homes Completed in Central City
A major step has been taken in NONDC’s continued work to help revitalize Central City New Orleans with the completion of four new, energy efficient homes made possible through federal funds geared toward neighborhood stabilization.
The homes, completed with funds from the second phase of the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP2), meet both Enterprise Green Communities and Builders Challenge criteria. They are also outfitted with solar panels, reducing electric bills by a projected 30 percent. This represents some of the first residential units in Central City New Orleans to use renewable solar energy.
NONDC is a member of the New Orleans Consortium, a partnership between 11 experienced non-profits, the New Orleans Redevelopment Authority (NORA) and green building consultant Green Coast Enterprises. The NOC Consortium was awarded $29.7 million to conduct comprehensive redevelopment through the rehabilitation and new construction of homes throughout a variety of neighborhoods across the city.
NONDC used its $1 million portion of the funds to acquire vacant, blighted and foreclosed property and to build these homes.
NONDC joins NORA in celebrating major benchmark achievement
The New Orleans Redevelopment Authority (NORA) recently celebrated a landmark accomplishment as it surpassed its mandate to spend half of the more than $29 million in Neighborhood Stabilization Program funds by February 11. The official amount spent was $15,275,743.16. NONDC is a member of the 16-member consortium which utilized these funds to mitigate blight in the New Orleans area. In addition to acquiring vacant properties in Central City New Orleans, NONDC also leveraged the funds to finance the construction of four new homes in the area and to provide soft second mortgage subsidy to low- to moderate-income families. NONDC will welcome the first homebuyer to purchase the new NSP2 construction in the coming weeks. As a testament to the organization’s efforts to use strategic partnerships to make the dream of owning a home a reality for area residents, this new owner is also a participant in the Housing Authority of New Orleans (HANO) Housing Choice Voucher Program (HCVP) to Homeownership program.
“We join the New Orleans Redevelopment Authority and our partner consortium members in celebrating this milestone in the revitalization of our city with the support of NSP2 funds,” said NONDC Executive Director Una Anderson. “Considerable progress has been made toward achieving our mission to help create a more vibrant and viable Central City through increased home ownership opportunities for area residents. We look forward to the Consortium’s continued success with the program.”
To learn more about NORA’s work, visit www.noraworks.org. Click here to view the official news release on this milestone.
A home with a story to tell
The New Orleans Neighborhood Development Collaborative (NONDC) has begun its work to renovate this historic home in the city’s Central City neighborhood.
Click to view more images
It is an imposing figure that looms large over its corner at LaSalle and Second Street. Something about the two-story manse with the fading, weathered pink exterior at 2427 LaSalle Street lets you know there is a story there, one that needs to be preserved and shared. It is that history – and an eye for what the property could be – that led the New Orleans Neighborhood Development Collaborative (NONDC), a non-profit community engagement and development organization in Central City, to purchase the rambling structure in desperate need of repair.
“This property is a testament to Central City’s rich history,” said Una Anderson, NONDC’s Executive Director. “It just made sense to return this piece of history to its former glory and turn it into a high-quality, affordable homeownership opportunity for the community.”
The home was originally owned by Ida Whitious Johnson, a license practical nurse and a longtime African-American homeowner in the area. A true entrepreneur and respected figure in the community, “Nurse Johnson” purchased a duplex and rental cottage at 2606-08 Louisiana Avenue near the historic Flint-Goodrich Hospital, providing a home and sustenance for her family.
The Johnson family was displaced twice by the federal government’s plans to bring public housing to New Orleans. In the 1939, the Louisiana Avenue residence was purchased for what Mrs. Johnson’s granddaughter, Idalorraine Jules Wilderson, refers to as “meager money” to make way for the first of the city’s housing projects. Mrs. Johnson used these funds to purchase a larger duplex on Magnolia Street. This home would play a prominent role in New Orleans history.
In the early 1950’s, plans were made to expand the Magnolia Housing Projects. Area neighbors and businesses initially organized to fight the expansion. Over time, dissent waned until Mrs. Johnson was the sole property owner to reject the government’s conservative $6,000 offer. Undeterred by the threat of suit, Mrs. Johnson fought against the federal government in court and was awarded nearly $25,000. With the judgment, Mrs. Johnson purchased a large duplex with 16 rooms at 2427-2429 LaSalle Street.
Over the years, Mrs. Johnson descendants spread across the country in search of the economic opportunities that were scarce in pre-desegregated New Orleans. The house fell into disrepair. NONDC’s Anderson commented, “It took considerable time, effort and commitment to work with the Johnson family to complete the sale. Given the history, the family wanted to make sure they received a fair deal for the home. Also they wanted to make sure it would be preserved as much as possible.”
NONDC has plans to divide the home into two units, each with three master suites and a front balcony. While much of the home’s interior will need to be removed, its original floors and staircases will be restored. Additionally, the fireplaces will be restored and enclosed. The traditional New Orleans-style exterior will be maintain with repairs to its classic gingerbread trim, turned spindle columns, frieze, and lap siding. The home will also feature a vibrant Painted Lady exterior.
Join the NONDC Team!
NONDC is currently in search of qualified candidates to serve as the organization’s Construction Assistant and Property Campaign Coordinator. Both of these positions will be filled through Louisiana Delta Service Corps (LDSC), an AmeriCorps program and one of over 400 AmeriCorps National Service programs. Known as the “Peace Corps of the Delta”, DSC creates opportunities for AmeriCorps members across the Louisiana Delta region to perform vital services in neighborhoods and communities. Click here for descriptions of each of these positions. Members will earn a small living allowance and, upon graduation, a education award. Other benefits include health insurance, child care reimbursement, student loan forbearance, and tons of training and networking opportunities. Applications are available at www.ladeltacorps.org. Contact NONDC for additional information at (504) 524-3919.
NONDC Homes with Solar Panels in Times Picayune
Check out some recent press on NONDC for the solar panels that we are putting up on the houses on S. Liberty Street. Our Construction Manager Charles Cutno is featured prominently in the article online and in print:
Charles Cutno in front of the new solar paneled house at 1605 S. Liberty Street.
The upfront costs were also prohibitive for the New Orleans Neighborhood Development Collaborative, which has rebuilt more than 25 vacant properties into affordable housing for Central City residents, said Charles Cutno, project manager for the group.
“We looked into it for a period of time, we researched it and found that the overall costs to go with an independent distributor were a lot more expensive,” Cutno said. “That’s one of the reasons we restyled with Make It Right Solar, to bring more of an affordable point to it.”
From what he could find, Cutno said those costs were 100 to 150 percent higher than the current arrangement, which allows him to pass the savings on to eligible homeowners.
“We’re able to pass on to the homeowner, at that point, and to me that’s one of the major advantages of it, actually,” he said. “Overall, it’s going to reduce their energy bill, we estimate, between 30 to 50 percent now, depending on the day uses, so for the individuals we build for, that’s a drastic reduction in their bill.”
These solar panels are funded through our Neighborhood Stabilization Program 1 funded through HUD and administered by the LHFA. These homes are also part of our HOPEVI program geared towards individuals with incomes that are 80% or less of the Area Median Income and part of the offsite redevelopment of the CJ Peete Housing Project. You can find the entire article here.
Progress Continues on S. Liberty Street
After putting in the solar panels on the homes at 1605 and 1614 S Liberty street, it’s time to install the sheet rock. We have been working with C&G Construction to construct these two homes and an additional home on Terpsichore Street as part of our HOPEVI and NSP1 Construction. We’re pleased that as we construct this project, the funds are being spent to help hire local residents.
Solar Panels Go Up!
This past week we installed solar panels on the property at 1605 S Liberty St. It is part of the Neighborhood Stabilization Program 1 (NSP1) funded by Louisiana Housing Finance Authority, the Housing Authority of New Orleans (HANO), and the Department of Housing and Urban Development. These are the first houses in Central City to have solar panels and the first in a planned series of seven solar panel installations done by Make It Right Solar. We believe that this will significantly decrease home energy bills for buyers.
NONDC Announces RFP for 4 Single-Family NSP2 Homes
As part of a city-wide consortium, NONDC received a grant award from the
Neighborhood Stabilization Program 2, a federal program aimed at construction
in disinvested neighborhoods. NONDC was awarded this money for the purposes
of acquiring lots and developing at minimum four single-family homes for
ownership. The target demographic is persons living at 120% area median
income and lower. These homes are built in part with federal financing and
grants, and construction processes must conform to the required regulations
regarding bonding, insurance, labor practices, and other applicable rules. These
homes will be built to the green-building standards set out by the Builder’s
Challenge and Green Communities Criteria.
The full request for proposal is available on our website at:
http://nondc.org/housing/construction/construction-rfps/
Bid submissions will be collected until 3pm, April 21, 2011. No bids
received after 3pm, April 21, 2011 will be accepted for consideration.
Construction Continues
NONDC continues to build affordable homes on S. Robertson Street that will face the soon-to-be-built Woodson KIPP Charter school. We are excited about these two new homes on the block and their quick progress. These homes will be ready in just a couple of months for new residents to move into the neighborhood.
New Homes on S. Robertson Street
