NEW ORLEANS (January 30, 2013) – On Friday, February 1 at 2:30 p.m., just fifty-one days after breaking ground in the Lower 9th Ward, participating builders, former NFL players and community supporters will cross the goal line and celebrate a job well done on the completion of three new affordable homes. The new homes, located in the 5400 block of N. Rocheblave Street (corner of Andry Street), are part of Phase One of the Touchdown for Homes-Louisiana’s long-term goal to help revitalize the Lower 9 community.
Touchdown for Homes is a nationwide charitable outreach program of the National Association of Home Builders and the NFLPA that works to strengthen communities by building or renovating homes for children or families in need, and veterans. The New Orleans project is a collaboration between the Louisiana Home Builders Association (LHBA), the Home Builders Association of Greater New Orleans (HBAGNO), the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), and members of the New Orleans Chapter of the National Football League Players Association (NFLPA). The local home builders and former NFL players worked with the New Orleans Redevelopment Authority (NORA) to secure deeds to the available land.
“These first three homes are just the beginning,” said Home Builders Association of Greater New Orleans Executive Vice President, Jon Luther. “Our plans and our commitment extend well into the future. With the help of our generous local and national sponsors, and our numerous community partners, we are committed to revitalizing this community, so that everyone who chooses to live here can proudly call it home.”
Early projections for the project as it moves forward include light commercial space which would feature an open-air market, retail space, as well as an Early Childhood Development Center. Touchdown for Homes has also earmarked forty lots, which they plan to develop into similar residential spaces in the coming years.
“These three new homes represent another important step in the redevelopment of the Lower Ninth Ward and we are pleased to have partnered with the Homebuilders and the NFL Players Association in making these properties available for local residents,” said New Orleans Redevelopment Authority (NORA) Chairman, Jim Singleton. “The revitalization of the Lower Ninth Ward remains a high priority for NORA. We look forward to continuing our partnership on similar projects in the future.”
The completion of the first three homes was a sprint to the goal line, in order to be ready in time for the 2013 Super Bowl. The highly affordable, energy efficient homes are being built using funds from a HBIDRF (Home Building Industry Disaster Relief Fund) grant with many of the raw materials donated by community partners such as Lowe’s, Sherwin Williams and Southland Plumbing Supply & Lighting. The homes will be made available first to families displaced by Hurricane Katrina. Potential homeowners are currently being vetted by Neighborhood Housing Services, which teaches lessons in responsible home ownership and financial planning.
“Touchdown for Homes will make it possible for many of our longtime residents to return to homes that are affordable, energy efficient, properly elevated and safe,” said District E Councilman James A. Gray II. “As these neighborhoods grow, commercial development will follow—grocery stores, retail outlets and more. We thank all of the groups involved in this project for their participation in the revitalization of one of our most historic and vital neighborhoods.”
The homes are certified to the National Green Building Standard, which has stringent efficiency requirements for water and energy consumption, use of land and space and other features. They are also be certified via Entergy New Orleans’ Energy Smart Program, which helps Entergy New Orleans electric customerssave energy and save money through energy assessments and valuable cash rebates on energy efficiency improvements. The homes are outfitted with remote climate-control technology that will greatly reduce homeowners’ utility costs.
“As most of our Chapter members are native New Orleanians, we want to see our city thrive, and we work through our voluntary efforts and community partnerships to ensure that happens,” says Norm Hodgins, former Chicago Bear, and president of the New Orleans Chapter of the National Football League Players Association. “Our relationship with NAHB, LHBA, & HBAGNO has produced a strong desire to create something for our community that will utilize the energy of the Super Bowl as the ‘first play’ but continue well beyond the ‘echo of the last whistle.’ With more than a quarter of all NFL players in the history of the game hailing from the great state of Louisiana, we relish the opportunity to give back to the communities that gave so much to us.”
The ribbon-cutting festivities will feature a generously donated raw bar from the Gulf Oyster Industry Council, catering by New Orleans favorite, Lil Dizzy’s Café, refreshments from the NOLA Brewing Company, Abita Brewing Company and a student band from the Dr. Martin Luther King Charter School in the Lower 9th Ward who will provide entertainment. Former and current NFL Players are scheduled to attend, along with builders, representatives from the offices of U.S. Senator Mary Landrieu and District E City Councilman, James A. Gray II, as well as members of the Lower 9th Ward community and others who have supported this project from its inception.
For more information, visit: www.latouchdownforhomes.com or call 1-877-387-0826.
Touchdown for Homes-Louisiana sponsors/partners include:
National: National Association of Home Builders, NFL Former Players Association-New Orleans Chapter, NFL Players Association, Home Building Industry Disaster Relief Fund, Home Builders Association of Greater New Orleans, Home Building Careers, Louisiana Homebuilders Disaster Relief Fund, John C. Williams Architects, LLC.
Builders: Integrity Builders, New Beginnings Enterprises, Reve’ Inc.
Material Suppliers: Benjamin Moore Paints, Boise Cascade (Building Materials Division), Entergy New Orleans, James Hardie, Simpson Strong-Tie, Klumb Lumber Company, The Plant & Palm Tropical Outlet, Mid-States Wood Preserves, LLC, Lowe’s, Roy O. Martin, Southland Plumbing Supply & Lighting, LLC, YellaWood, greenBuilder360.com, Helm Paint & Decorating, Discount Permit.com, Kellett Building Products, Amazing Windows & Doors, DuPont, Interior Motives Design & Décor, Inc., DL Cabinetry, Mr. Green Jeans Insulation, EnviroGreen, M&M Glass.
Community Partners: Champion Builders, Common Ground Relief, Paxen Learning Center, New Orleans Redevelopment Authority (NORA), NOEL (New Orleans Educations League of the Construction Industry), New Orleans Home & Garden Show, New Orleans Home + Design Show, Neighborhood Housing Services, Lower 9.org, and many neighbors and friends from the Lower 9th Ward and throughout the greater New Orleans community.
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ABOUT LHBA: The Louisiana Home Builders Association is made up of approximately 4,980 business members across the state. LHBA serves as the voice of the housing industry in Louisiana.
ABOUT HBAGNO: The Home Builders Association of Greater New Orleans is a professional organization representing the residential housing industry, serving our members and the community since 1941. Our membership is composed of approximately 1,100 dues paying home builders, developers, remodelers and associated businesses. The HBA proudly serving the parishes of Orleans, Jefferson, St. Bernard, Plaquemines, St. John the Baptist, St. Charles and St. James. The Home Builders Association of Greater New Orleans can be found on Twitter at www.twitter.com/hbaofgno and on Facebook atwww.facebook.com/hbagno.
ABOUT NAHB: The National Association of Home Builders is a Washington-based trade association representing more than 140,000 members involved in remodeling, home building, multifamily construction, property management, subcontracting, design, housing finance, building product manufacturing and other aspects of residential and light commercial construction. NAHB is affiliated with 800 state and local home builders associations around the country. NAHB’s builder members will construct about 80 percent of the new housing units projected for this year.
ABOUT THE NFLPA: The NFL Players Association is the exclusive collective bargaining agent for all players employed by clubs of the National Football League. Founded in 1956, the NFLPA works to ensure that the rights and interests of NFL players are protected. In addition, the NFLPA strives to be a valuable resource and to maximize player opportunities on and off the field through membership programs and community activities. www.NFLPlayers.com
ABOUT NORA: The New Orleans Redevelopment Authority (www.noraworks.org) is a catalyst for the revitalization of the city, partnering in strategic developments that celebrate the city’s neighborhoods and honor its traditions.
