June 11, 2026 | From City of New Orleans
Mayor Moreno Launches New Effort to Return Stagnant Properties to Commerce
NEW ORLEANS — Today, Mayor Helena Moreno announced the creation of the Adjudicated Property Task Force, a citywide initiative designed to tackle one of New Orleans' longest-standing redevelopment challenges. Currently, the city has more than 6,500 properties that have remained tied up in the legal and administrative limbo of the tax-adjudication process for years, and in some cases, for generations.
The new task force will bring together key City departments to cut through bureaucratic barriers, resolve ownership issues, and return underutilized properties to productive use for housing, neighborhood revitalization, and economic development.
"For far too long, thousands of properties across New Orleans have sat empty while our neighborhoods waited for investment and families searched for places to live," Mayor Helena Moreno said. "This executive order is about bringing government together to solve problems instead of passing them from one department to another. If we want to address blight, create housing, and strengthen our neighborhoods, we have to start by putting these properties back into commerce and back to work for the people of New Orleans."
The Adjudicated Property Task Force will begin by testing two different approaches to getting underutilized properties back into use. First, the city will focus on 15 to 25 underutilized residential lots in one neighborhood, with the goal of attracting a developer to build affordable homes across multiple sites. In addition, the City will also identify five to eight homes or residential buildings and work to prepare them for rehabilitation by smaller local developers.
By testing both approaches, the City hopes to determine the most effective way to return long-underutilized properties to commerce, expand housing opportunities, and encourage neighborhood investment while creating opportunities for developers of different sizes.
“We’ve long known that adjudicated properties have served as a silent drag on New Orleans’ economic momentum. Left in legal limbo, these properties suffer from clouded titles that turn away lenders, stall private capital, and ultimately breed neighborhood blight. Breaking this cycle is a prerequisite for real growth,” said Jeff Schwartz, Director of Housing, Community Development & Special Projects. “By clearing title and returning adjudicated lots to commerce, we aren't just eradicating blight—we are unlocking dormant assets and laying the groundwork for sustained neighborhood revitalization.”
“Addressing adjudicated property is a marathon, not a sprint. The mandate of this initiative is to build a modern policy framework—and then immediately stress-test it in the real world. By launching a targeted pilot program, we aren't just guessing at solutions; we are working to prove them,” said Rochelle Juelich, Director of Strategic Property Initiatives. “We are building a viable, replicable playbook to clear title and return dormant properties to commerce for good through the development of much-needed affordable housing.”
“I think that this is an opportunity for us to collectively work on the processes so that we can identify a model that can be replicated not only in the Lower 9th Ward, but also in other districts in the city of New Orleans," said Brenda Breaux, Executive Director fo the New Orleans Redevelopment Authority. "I'm excited about what the outcome could be."
"Strong neighborhoods are the foundation of a strong city and bringing vacant and adjudicated properties back into productive use is essential to the future of New Orleans. This initiative reflects a commitment to addressing long-standing challenges in a way that creates real opportunities for housing, investment, and community growth. By reducing blight and restoring these properties, we can strengthen neighborhoods across our city and build a more vibrant New Orleans for generations to come,” said Council Vice President Matthew Willard.
"The Hoffman Triangle and Central City are two of the most underserved neighborhoods in District B. While both areas have a strong community base and are in close proximity to the city center, they've seen a true lack of investment in quality housing and the businesses needed to support thriving neighborhoods, such as grocery stores," said Councilmember Lesli Harris. "As a result, Hoffman Triangle and Central City residents face concentrations of crime and quality of life issues, including illegal dumping, overgrown lots, and drug-related activities. The adjudicated property pilot presents a clear opportunity to demonstrate the City's commitment to Hoffman Triangle and Central City, in partnership with the community that's invested in the neighborhood for years."
Who Will Serve on the Task Force
The Adjudicated Property Task Force will be chaired by the Director of the Office of Community Development and will include leadership from city departments and external stakeholders.
To learn more, read the Mayor’s entire executive order here.
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