…and then the levee broke

1. …and then the levee broke Bringing New Orleans Back Post Katrina

2. Bring New Orleans Back • The City of New Orleans has experienced the most devastating disaster in U.S. history. Despite the dire circumstances of over a thousand lives lost, of tens of thousands of citizens displaced, and of over one hundred fifty thousand homes lost or damaged, there is a spirit that lives. This spirit will not allow our great City to die. This spirit knows that New Orleans can be a better place than it has ever been. This spirit will Bring New Orleans Back.

3. Timeline • Sunday, August 28 – Mayor C. Ray Nagin calls for mandatory evacuation of the City of New Orleans and opens LA Superdome as shelter of last resort • Monday, August 29 – Category 4 Hurricane Katrina slams into the U.S. Gulf Coast devastating coastal and inland communities in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Alabama • City largely “survives” with mostly wind damage to residential and commercial structures, power lines, trees and other greenery, minor street flooding

4. …and then the levee broke • Tuesday, August 30 – levee protection systems experienced 4 major breaches with an additional 26 minor breaches causing mass flooding of 80% of City of New Orleans

6. Housing Damage Estimates • 74,861 housing units with less than 2’ of floodwater • 31,499 housing units with 2’ to 4’ of floodwater • 108,731 housing units with over 4’ of floodwater (50% of all households) • 35,092 housing units receiving minor wind and/or flooding damage • Repair costs $15,000 - $165,000 (based on type of unit, amount of damage, etc.)

7. Insurance (FEMA data) • Flood and Hazard • 43,951 homeowners; 1889 rental units • Hazard Only • 17,307 homeowners; 2,927 rental units • No Insurance • 13,934 homeowners; 106,176 rental units • Average flood payout $105,000 • Average hazard payout $13,000

8. Decisions, Decisions - Critical Long Term Issues • Levees • Minimum height of Category 3 protection • Desired height of Category 5 protection • Structurally sound • Flood Plain Levels • Last approved plan – 1988 – housing build prior to 1988 grandfathered in – i.e., did not have to meet new flood plain levels • Structures receiving >50% value damage must be rebuilt to last approved level even if previously grandfathered in • Coastal Restoration • Wetlands serve as natural buffer for storm surge • 2005 loss of coastal wetlands equivalent to projected loss through 2050 • Estimated cost of $14 billion • Prohibition to rebuild • Lowest areas - Use of land for other purposes (industrial parks, flood buffer zones, etc.) • Infrastructure Restoration (energy, sewerage and water, etc.) • Population • Pre-Katrina – approximately 485,000 (2000 census) • January 2006 – 144,000 • September 2006 – 181,000 • September 2008 – 247,000 • Consequences • Infrastructure and municipal service needs for decreased population • City revenue stream (general fund revenue, grant revenue based on population and other formula criteria)

9. In the Meantime…Pre-Katrina Vision Statement • We envision building upon the unique cultural palette of New Orleans neighborhoods while welcoming new residents, new businesses and new ideas that support communities – revitalized and thriving. We envision neighbors working together, nurtured by city government to build and sustain viable neighborhoods characterized by: • Diversity of income • Mix of housing stack • Access to economic opportunities • Community engagement and involvement • Community leadership • Public safety • Green space/common space • Accessibility/ transportation • Neighborhood conveniences • Clean environment • Quality schools • Access to social and supportive services • Opportunities for youth

10. Where to Start - Critical Short Term Issues • Initial focus on 8 “dry” zip codes (West Bank of Orleans parish and high ground along the path of the Mississippi River for repopulation • Re-establish municipal services • Public Safety (Police/Fire/EMS/911) • Electricity • Gas • Water/Sewage • Communications (Phone, etc.) • Schools • Trash and Debris Removal – estimated 30 years of debris removal since storm • Inspections/Demolition of Housing Units for Imminent Danger of Collapse • Over 5000 units “red tagged” meaning dangerous to enter (not necessarily to be demolished) • 118 properties slated for immediate demolition because of imminent danger of collapse or blocking public rights of way • Balance between need for historic preservation and public safety • Balance rights of property owners and public safety • Temporary Housing • Planning for Long Term Redevelopment, Rebuilding

11. Planning for Long Term Redevelopment and Rebuilding • Coordination of Planning Efforts • Federal Commission • State Commission (LA Recovery Authority) • City Commission (Bring New Orleans Back) • Coordination of Resources • Federal Funding (CDBG, Hazard Mitigation, FEMA) • Private Funding/Philanthropy (Enterprise, Ford, Casey) • Human Resources/Planning (ULI, APA, AIA, Smart Growth America, Volunteers)

12. Temporary Housing • Identification of large/small/individual tracts of land to accommodate FEMA travel trailers for up to 18 months • Currently identified sites to accommodate over 7,500 units • NIMBY • Focus on essential municipal services workers • First Responders (Police/Fire/EMS) • Health Care workers (hospitals, clinics) • City Services (sanitation, sewerage and water) • Focus on family support and business support services to facilitate rebuilding • School Employees (facilitates families’ ability to return) • Social Services supports (mental health, substance abuse, day care) • Key industry employees (maritime, hospitality, etc.) • Focus on homeowners whose property can accommodate trailers • Availability of water, electricity, gas service, transportation, etc. • 95% electricity available (vs. active) • 86% gas available (vs. active)

13. Permanent/Long Term Housing • Rehab homeownership and rental properties • Use of tax adjudicated properties (5+ years) for non-profit and for-profit developers for the quick provision of permanent housing • Use of expropriation and other tools to acquire large tracts of developable land for non-profit and for-profit developers for the quick provision of permanent housing • Buyouts of homes for redevelopment where homeowners cannot or will not return (Baker Bill, etc.)

14. Policy Issues in Housing Rehab and Development • Design Standards • Maintain architectural integrity of existing neighborhoods without creating cookie cutter or fake New Orleans communities • Wind and water resistant materials to mitigate future loss • Building code standards and enforcement • Affordability • Cost of “special” building materials • Labor shortage • Energy efficiency/green building • Insurance premiums • De-densification – use of vacant land to create green space, expand lot sizes, etc. • Rent controls/moratoria to ensure affordable housing and enable residents to return to the City • Require an affordable component for any large scale redevelopment • Include local non-profit organizations, contractors and businesses as much as possible in rebuilding efforts

15. Social and Supportive Community Services • Provide community centers within the defined 13 planning districts • Each center should include financial counseling, health clinics, city services and permitting, inspections, housing and family counseling • Decentralize/House Community Services in Neighborhood Centers • Work in partnership with non-profit organizations, businesses, faith-based organizations, financial institutions, and residents to build consensus on neighborhood redevelopment

16. Economic Opportunities and Neighborhood Conveniences • Provide short-term housing for local workers • Streamline permit and inspection process for neighborhood businesses • Prioritize construction jobs for locals over outside contractors • Consider green training and solutions to housing reconstruction, job training in demolition and deconstruction of salvageable materials, hazard mitigation, etc.

17. Community Engagement and Involvement • Create Virtual Neighborhoods and bulletin boards to reconnect community support systems and organizations, and provide vital information to residents. Include access to computer stations and technicians. • Ensure communities have a vital role in the manner in which their neighborhoods are redeveloped • Identify entities willing to donate time and services to enhance capacity of local nonprofits

18. Cost Estimates • $12 B – housing rehab • $700 M – demolition and site remediation • $413 – public buildings • $4.8 B – public infrastructure (including rail) • $5 M – community planning • $450 M – public utilities • Ongoing city operations - $650 M annual budget pre-Katrina

19. Revenue Sources • Community Development Block Grants • Other Federal Departments (Commerce, Transportation, HHS, Education, etc.) • Hazard Mitigation Grants • National Flood Insurance Program • Tax Credits • Private Sector/Lenders • Baker Bill/similar legislation • Stafford Act • Philanthropic Community • Other

20. Federal and State Agenda • Hurricane and Flood Protection • Lost Revenue Replacement • Housing and Community Redevelopment • Economic Development Incentives and Aid • Transportation and Infrastructure Support • Insurance Industry Controls

21. Federal Commitments • $29 Billion – Dept. of Defense Bill • $11.5 billion HUD block grants, with $6.2 billion to LA • $2.9 billion to repair and strengthen levee structures • $2.75 billion for transportation infrastructure • $1.4 billion for military facilities, with $367 million to VA • $750 million for k-12 schools affected • $350 million for NASA facilities • $200 million for higher education • $57 Million – Hazard Mitigation • Initial installment for repetitive flooded properties

22. Local Housing and Community Development Agenda - Housing • Continue to identify temporary housing in concert w/ FEMA • Provide grants and loans to homeowners and investors for gap financing (un- or under-insured) to make necessary repairs • Provide replacement housing for homeowners/renters losing housing for safety, infeasibility, etc. • Demolish structures in imminent danger of collapse for public safety and to facilitate new development • Use existing tools (tax adjudication, blight designation, expropriation) to facilitate the assembly and disposition of land for small and large scale redevelopment

23. Local Housing and Community Development Agenda - Housing • Encourage and provide financial incentives for public/private partnerships for large scale mixed income development • Ensure the development of housing that addresses the needs of special populations (elderly, disabled, HIV/AIDS, homeless/supportive housing, etc.) • Provide Down Payment and Closing Cost Assistance for 1st time and other homebuyers • Perform lead and mold mitigation activities • Provide funds for CHDO capacity development and continuity

24. Local Housing and Community Development Agenda – Economic Development • Business Assistance Loans • Infrastructure Improvements

25. Local Housing and Community Development Agenda – Community Services • Financial, Legal, and Fair Housing Counseling • Information and Referral to Family Support Services • Homeless Services • Information Centers

26. City of New Orleans • Bringing New Orleans Back • One House • One Block • One Neighborhood at a Time