Inclusionary Housing Study

On August 9, 2018, the City Council passed Motion M-18-320 directing the City Planning Commission to consider a text amendment to the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance to incorporate certain recommendations and initiatives contained in the “Smart Housing Mix Ordinance Study.”  Included in this motion is a directive stating “That City Planning Commission and the Office of Community Development shall work with the Mayor’s Office of Economic Development, the New Orleans Redevelopment Authority, and any other agencies or departments necessary, to comprehensively develop through a study, standard incentives and a process for administering incentives for projects that provide affordable housing under the Smart Housing Mix requirements including RTAs, PILOTs, and other or new incentives.”

In November 2018, the City retained HR & A Advisors, Inc (HR&A), in consultation with Urban Focus, to conduct a study determining the feasibility of a mandatory IZ policy, the findings of which will be used to inform the proposed legislation and modify components of it (if needed) to ensure alignment with current real estate market conditions.  HR&A completed their analysis in February 2019 and provided their final report and recommendations to the City on March 1, 2019. 

New Orleans Inclusionary Housing Final Report - 3/11/19