What is Affordable Housing?
Housing for which the occupant(s) is/are generally paying no more than 30 percent of household income for gross housing costs, including utilities.
Affordable Housing rents are based on HUD guidelines and are adjusted annually for family size.
What Tools are Available in the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance to Help Create Affordable Housing?
What is a Small Mutli-Family Affordable (SMFA) Dwelling Development?
The SMFA dwelling development allows for the construction of up to four dwelling units in certain zoning districts. Currently, SMFA developments are allowed in the following zoning districts subject to Use Standards found in the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance:
How do you Apply for a SMFA Development?
- Apply for a building permit on the One Stop website.
- Upload the attestation form confirming compliance with the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance. To access the form click here.
Applicant's will be contacted when the building permit review process has been completed.
What is Mandatory Inclusionary Zoning?
The MIZ program will require Affordable Housing Developments to set aside 10 percent of their on-site rental units in the Central Business District and Vieux Carre "Core" areas, and 5 percent of their on-site rentals in all other IZ District "Strong" areas as affordable housing for individuals and families earning up to 60 percent of the Area Median Income (AMI). Rental housing units are required to remain affordable for at least 99 years pursuant to the IZ ordinance. See Section 26-638 of the City Code for information about a Payment-in-Lieu option for developments that cannot meet the set-aside requirement.
When was the MIZ Program Created?
On March 18, 2019, the New Orleans City Council adopted Ordinance 28,036 MCS establishing a Mandatory Inclusionary Zoning (MIZ) program in certain areas of the City. Please visit our Property Viewer to learn if your property is located within a MIZ district.
How Does the Program Work?
The Mandatory Inclusionary Zoning (MIZ) program applies to all residential developments that contain 10 or more multi-family residential dwelling units, including:
- New construction
- Substantial improvement
- Expansion
- Mixed-use development
- Change of use
Inclusionary Zoning Required Affordable Units
Affordable Housing Developments are required to set aside either 10 percent or 5 percent of the units within the same structure as the market rate units.
The bedroom mix (i.e. number of bedrooms) of the Affordable Housing Development shall be proportional to the market-rate dwelling units.
Example 1 (Core MIZ District): Sample unit mix of a 10 percent "Core" MIZ area: 40 units
- 12 studios
- 18 one-bedroom units
- 6 two-bedroom units
- 4 three-bedroom units
STEP 1: Calculate required units based on district type (10% is required in the "Core" MIZ District)
- In this example, 4 units would be required to be set aside for affordable housing.
STEP 2: Calculate number of bedrooms required (the bedroom mix)
- In this example one studio, 2 one-bedroom, and 1 two-bedroom units would be required (10% of each unit type)
Example 2 (Strong MIZ District): Sample unit mix of a 5 percent "Strong" MIZ area: 40 units
- 12 studios
- 18 one-bedroom units
- 6 two-bedroom units
- 4 three-bedroom units
STEP 1: Calculate required units based on district type (5% is required in the "Strong" MIZ District)
- In this example 2 units would be required to set aside for affordable housing
STEP 2: Calculate number of bedrooms required (the bedroom mix)
- In this example one studio and 1 one-bedroom would be required (5% of each unit type)
Incentives for Providing Affordable Housing:
- Density Bonuses
- Parking Reductions
- Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT)
- Restoration Tax Abatement (RTA)
How do you Apply for the MIZ?