Afordable Housing Initiative
While Hurricane Katrina was an equal opportunity disaster-wreaking havoc on the lives and families of both rich and poor-the ability to respond and rebuild has been significantly harder for those without an array of resources. The poor, working poor, and service workers of New Orleans lag far behind in their abilities to rebuild their lives in post-Katrina New Orleans.
Reconcile New Orleans recently implemented its Construction Training Program as part of a collaborative dedicated to building affordable housing in the Central City neighborhood of New Orleans. Serving as Reconcile’s house building partner in the project for this effort is CrossRoads Missions, which seeks to meet the needs of families affected by Hurricane Katrina through the construction of homes in the Central City area. CrossRoads also provides supervision and on-site training of the Reconcile construction students at the work site. Reconcile has also joined with Jericho Road Episcopal Housing Initiative to provide construction and homeowner financing.
One of the first homes built is now owned by Reconcile’s own Chef Joe Smith and his family. As a result of these partnerships, not only are youth being trained in entry-level construction skills, but much needed affordable housing options, including home ownership opportunities, are being created for many of the areas low-income families.
We are proud of the thirteen homes already built and ready for families to take ownership, as well as the synergy created through our innovative programs: not only providing affordable home ownership for those affected by Hurricane Katrina, but also renewing blighted properties and building on our Youth Workforce Training Programs…all paths for reconciliation in Central City and other New Orleans neighborhoods.