In the meantime, here is the synopsis:

NORA has identified over 2000 homeowners, citywide, who are eligible to purchase Road Home Buyout (RHB) or previously blighted, expropriated properties through the LND program. Only those residents on either side of a property will be eligible – you will NOT be notified or be eligible to acquire RHB properties behind you.

Letters will be going out to those homeowners this summer. If you receive a letter and are interested, please contact NORA as soon as possible and copy housing@mcno.org with your email so we can update our database. There is also a “Letter of Interest” you must send to NORA via email or regular mail within 30 days of receipt of the letter. We will post that document on MCNO.org as soon as we have the digital file. We will also have copies available at the next neighborhood meeting on August 5.

You MUST have a current homestead exemption to be eligible, so if you have lost yours since Katrina but are now eligible and have not refiled, you should do so immediately. Also, notify NORA of that fact when you send them your letter of interest. If you have purchased another property and are taking the exemption there, you will not be eligible for the LND program. You also must be up to date with any taxes and code enforcement fines/liens for all properties you own – anywhere in Orleans Parish – to be eligible. If you are behind and pay these taxes or fines this summer, keep your receipts to show NORA as the records may not be updated right away.

If you purchase a property, you must file with the city to alter the dimensions of your property (and pay associated fees) and hold the property for a minimum of five years before you can resell it. If there is a home on the property, you will need to renovate it or be prepared to face code enforcement fines from the city. If you take possession of one of these properties, you may be eligible for greening and fencing credits to offset the cost of beautification and site improvements.

If you wish to tear the property down, it will have to go through the normal demolition review process unless you can prove that it is in imminent danger of collapse. If you renovate it, you can make it a rental. However, be aware that if it was originally zoned as a double or single and was converted into a multiplex before Katrina, it will now have lost its non-conforming use and NOT be eligible to be renovated as a multi-unit property. (This is true for all abandoned properties. Please inform MCNO Housing and the City of New Orleans Safety and Permits Department of suspected non-conforming renovations ASAP.)

These properties will be sold at fair market value (FMV), and the new owner will be required to pay $1000 in closing costs. Upon receipt of your letter of interest by NORA, the agency will order an appraisal and send it to you. At that point, to reserve the property you must pay a 20% deposit within 60 days. (You can also release your interest if the appraisal is higher than you want to pay for the property.) As soon as NORA acquires ownership of the property, you will pay the FMV of the property, less any credits you receive.

If you are interested in acquiring a property you believe is blighted and you do not receive a letter, please send the information and address to housing@mcno.org. We are currently amassing a list of properties that we want NORA to expropriate. Provided the property meets the city’s blight criteria, we will include your request in our list. Also, if you know ANYONE who is interested in acquiring an abandoned or blighted property, please encourage them to email housing@mcno.org. NORA has a very limited budget and will be more willing to acquire a property for resale to a resident if it has confidence that it will be able to recoup its outlay quickly. WE NEED RESIDENTS TO GET THE WORD OUT ABOUT THE ABILITY TO PURCHASE BLIGHTED PROPERTIES SO WE CAN GET THESE HOMES BACK INTO COMMERCE!!!!!

If you have further questions specific to the Lot Next Door program, please direct them to lotnextdoor@noraworks.org. This is all the information MCNO Housing has at this time. If you have any other questions related to MCNO’s housing recovery programs, or want to notify us of problem properties in your area, please feel free to contact us.

Speakers and Topics

Jennifer Farwell –MCNO Housing Chair: The MCNO housing survey–Progress and call for volunteer surveyors

Carla Gendusa—office of Stacy Head: New measures to return abandoned/blighted property to commerce by fining property owners

Margaret Doyle-Johntson –Office of Arnie Fielkow mdjohnston@cityofno.com: The resource of at-large council as a route for enforcements of code and housing laws

Darren Martin — HANO Community Relations damartin@hano.org: The “Housing Choice Voucher Program” rights, rules and responsibilities of tenants, owners, HANO, and neighbors.

Miles Trapolin: New approaches to force landlords to shut down rental properties that house criminals

The MCNO housing survey is a comprehensive evaluation and photographic record of all 3700 residential properties in our boundaries. It is creating a database that will eventually monitor and track progress and problem resolution for a variety of quality of life issues. Its first “task” is to help us identify blighted and/or abandoned housing that is adversely impacting resident’s quality of life. For this project, having all the properties documented helps put the blighted properties into context so that we can determine patterns of both blight and recovery and target heavily the recovering blocks where people working to rebuild. The MCNO housing program is connected to the efforts of the City Council on code enforcement sweeps, the New Orleans Recovery Authority (NORA) and real estate development and marketing of properties. We believe that we (MCNO) offer a path to collectively access city resources and prioritize code enforcement efforts, to collaborate with NORA in marketing property they now own and to encourage home buyers to move into Mid City. The MCNO housing survey sets criteria for volunteers to record the condition of houses in Mid City. Coordinated follow up activities to contact owners and apply code laws will follow from an accurate neighborhood-wide database. WE NEED MORE SURVEYORS. We also need better sources of owner addresses as some tax records are not reliable. Contact info is housing@mcno.org.

Ms. Margaret Doyle-Johnston spoke on behalf of Councilperson Arnie Fielkow on the importance of using the office of Council at Large to support our housing recovery efforts. The city employees and elected officials are all accessible by their Internet connected BlackBerries and that is the best way to get a response. Follow-up and action are enhanced by contacting the appropriate District Council Person and the Councilperson at Large. Every person at the meeting was given Ms. Doyle-Johnston’s business card.

Carla Gendusa from Councilperson Stacy Head’s Office spoke about the recently passed ordinance which created a legal process to “return abandoned housing to commerce”. The approach is for a citizen or MCNO to report houses that are abandoned, the code enforcement office will contact the owner and schedule a hearing. The hearing will result in either 1) a resolution of the code violation within 30 days or fines up to $500 per day, 2) assessment of the fines on the property tax bills, and 3) eventual liens on property and judgments that can lead to Civil Court auctions of property.

The speaker from HANO seemed to draw the highest level of response from our members in attendance. Several persons commented on rental houses that they believe are a problem and they suspect that the renting of the houses is through the Housing Choice Voucher Program. Darren Martin effectively described the “partnership” nature of the Section 8 housing program. The agreements between the tenant, landlord, and HANO are designed to 1) “train” tenant applicants on what the community expects from residents living in their neighborhood, 2) set lease agreements that prohibit sub renting or voucher use while residing in another place, 3) require property owners to provide rental units that meet minimum defined standards for human habitation, and 4) provide a path to remove tenants/landlords from the program who violate the agreements. Much more information should be read at hano.org or hud.gov for people who believe that problem houses in their neighborhood should be reported. Since the addresses of all property under the HANO Voucher program are confidential, the best approach is to report ALL problems—calls to police for suspected tenant criminal activity, code violations/blight conditions, and suspected violation of lease agreements to HANO, just in the event that these properties are Section 8 rental units. Mr. Martin agreed that he would acknowledge the emails and his intended follow up if the reported addresses were under the voucher program. damartin@hano.org

Miles Trapolin reported on his extensive work with the City Council that has led to a means to remove rental property from the neighborhood if neighbors can demonstrate a history of criminal activity at an address. A group of 7 neighbors can now file a civil suit against an owner who has a history of renting to persons engaged in drug or other felony crimes. The key to success is that neighbors get documentable evidence of reports of criminal activity on or immediately near to an address—police reports, arrest records, complaints. The group of 7 neighbors who feel that the property is adversely affecting their property can file a suit and the owner can suffer the consequence of a penalty that includes removal of the property from rental use for six months and a day to longer. The six month penalty will end the non conforming use on many problem properties presented rented as 4 plexes or even 8 plexes in areas where two family zoning applies. Ms. Trapolin provided copies of the types of letters that she has sent in documenting property with a history of criminal activity.

In conclusion, this summary is very much abbreviated and is best used as a guide to sources of more detailed information. In one sentence, we the residents must exercise our power to keep problem housing out of our neighborhood by hitting at the wallet those property owners who have either abandoned this neighborhood or are using their substandard properties as income sources and harboring illegal activities. We have the power to stop their violations of laws and rules and improve our quality of life.

[Thanks to MCNO Board Member Ben Claassen for compiling these notes.]

We will be offering information (and asking help) on how you can improve the quality of life in your blocks.

A representative from Stacy Head’s office will be on hand to discuss the new code enforcement fining system, whereby people who do not remediate their properties can be fined and potentially lose their properties. We will also have some building and renovation-oriented companies on hand to provide information if you need it.

Not only are abandoned houses a problem for many of you, but so are owners who are rebuilding illegally and landlords who are renting to unsavory tenants. We will also have information on what you can do about that – it was discussed at the last meeting, but we will also discuss it here.

On a separate note, we are surveying the entire of MCNO and identifying houses that have been abandoned as well as those that appear to have been renovated illegally or be in violation of zoning ordinances.

We need YOUR help to identify some of these properties early enough in the process that we can stop it. For example, were you aware that any property not renovated yet has now reverted to its original zoning? That means that if an historic double had been cut up into apartments without obtaining a zoning variance, the landlord cannot now legally come back and make it into a multi-plex again.

If you see this sort of activity going on, we need to know.

PLEASE ATTEND THE JULY 7TH NEIGHBORHOOD MEETING TO LEARN WHAT WE ARE DOING AND HOW YOU CAN HELP!

Spread the word to your neighbors, and bring written lists of the worst offenders in your block, whether it is blight, crime, or suspected illegal building or zoning activity, with brief explanations of the problem. Optionally, email them to housing@mcno.org.

Working together, we can rebuild ALL of Mid City to be the prime neighborhood it deserves to be.

Jennifer Farwell
Housing Chairman
Mid City Neighborhood Organization

Meeting Time and Place:

July 7, 6:30 pm, Grace Episcopal Church, 3700 Canal Street

View Larger Map

I’m sorry to see Christian’s go, but very happy to know that this beautiful icon of Mid-City will be restored to a use that will benefit the community.

On Thursday, June 26th the popular PRC program, Renovator’s Happy Hour will feature a Mid-City Home near City Park. Husband and wife, Will and Donna Tregre, an architect and interior designer, respectively, will open their renovation in progress for viewing and an informal discussion. They have done a wonderful job maintaining the historic integrity of the house, but have updated it for modern living. A $5 admission will benefit the PRC and includes refreshments. Socializing begins at 5:30pm, with a loose presentation to begin at 6pm.

From left: Ben, Mike, Jac and Goofball

More sign photos here.

The first signs have gone up. There will be six at various points around the neighborhood. See if you can spot them all!

http://katrinafilm.com/schedule.pdf

Please consider volunteering to help with the Bayou Boogaloo.

The Bayou Boogaloo is a free festival where the profits from food and merchandise sales go to help benevolent causes in New Orleans.

Plus the Bayou Boogaloo only hires local talent. All the money stays right here in our area.

This year, the Bayou Boogaloo is raising money to restore two play areas on the Jefferson Davis Parkway neutral ground.

A volunteer application is available at the link below:

http://katrinafilm.com/volunteerapp.pdf

Please consider helping out with the Bayou Boogaloo.

You’ll be glad you did!

Thanks to Mercy Corps for underwriting this project, to Ben Claassen for taking over from Bart Everson (who’s busy with a newborn child) and also to Madeline Faust for the design and Grafitti Graphics for fabrication.

(A printable map with all stops on one page will be posted Sunday morning and copies will be available at all major tour stops.)

This Sunday, Mid City will open its houses and its hearts to welcome New Orleans residents and visitors who wish to see the progress in Mid City and learn about its attractive housing and renovation opportunities. At all three major stops, visitors can obtain a copy of the map, as well as information about the benefits of renovating an historic home and flyers listing housing and renovation-related vendors and homes for sale in Mid City (not offering Open Houses).

Doggy Dog World Dog Daycare will give half-off daycare that day to anyone presenting a copy of the map. Ruby Slipper and Bayou Coffeehouse (both listed on the map) are offering food and drink specials.

Major tour stops are:

636 S. Alexander Street
326 N. Jeff Davis Pkwy (Bayou Coffeehouse)
3438 Cleveland Street

Press release follows.

Mid-City Housing Fair and Tour to Highlight Renovate Homes and Home-Related Services;
Offer Visitor Specials; Honor Helen Hill

New Orleans, LA, May 8, 2008— On Sunday, May 18 from Noon – 5:00pm, New Orleanians and visitors are invited to Mid-City for the Historic Mid-City Neighborhood Housing Fair & Tour. The event will feature open houses of both renovated and unrenovated homes, special offers and displays from home-related professionals and companies, and a display by the Preservation Resource Center. Local restaurants and beverage outlets will offer specials before, during, and after the tour.

All tour participants will be highlighted on a map, available at mcno.org beginning May 16 as well as during the tour at these highlighted stops along the route:

A Tribute to Helen Hill — 3438 Cleveland Street: Local renovation specialist Eric Weishaupt has purchased and will be renovating the former Mid-City residence of filmmaker Helen Hill, who was murdered in January 2007. As a tribute to her love for historic homes and New Orleans, he has agreed to open it for viewing in its pre-renovation state so that others who are considering renovating a home can see a “blank canvas.” The Preservation Resource Center will have a display there, with information and experts to provide information on the opportunities and rewards of restoring an historic property.

Housing “Mini Fair” #1 — 636 S. Alexander Street: The Domain Companies will sponsor a Housing Mini-Fair at the location of three historic homes the company has renovated. The Mini-Fair will feature displays and information from housing and renovation professionals and contractors, plus complimentary food and beverages and a raffle for door prizes. The New Orleans Food and Farm Network will also have a display giving away free seeds and information.

Breakfast on the Bayou and Housing Mini Fair #2 — 326 N. Jeff Davis Pkwy: Bayou Coffeehouse & Café will offer a breakfast special until 2:00 pm for those who wishing a leisurely meal before beginning the tour. During the tour, Bayou Coffeehouse will host local renovation companies and home ownership specialists. A highlight of this stop is Build Now, a non-profit organization that builds energy efficient, solidly constructed, homes with New Orleans’ style architecture at below-market prices.

Open Houses; Open Hearts — Various Locations: Area realtors will present Open Houses throughout the area. Homes chosen for the tour, representing the full diversity of prices and styles in Mid-City, are 134 S. Hennessey Street, 413 S. Telemachus Street, 3009 Toulouse Street, 4241-43 Tulane Avenue, 625 and 630 S. Alexander Street, and 28 Allard Blvd. There are also several condominiums on the tour.

Doggy Dog World Dog Day Care — 4145 Canal Street is offering 50% off doggie daycare to anyone that day who wants to drop off their pet while they tour and then perhaps have some “dog time” at nearby City Park afterward. They need to bring a map of the tour with them when they pick up their dog to get the discount.

About Mid City Neighborhood: The Mid City Neighborhood has been recognized as one of the most historically and architecturally intact and diverse neighborhoods in the entire U.S. Mid City is also one of the city’s most affordable neighborhoods, yet offers some of its greatest charms. It is bisected by the Canal Street Streetcar and is home such New Orleans icons such as Rock ‘n Bowl, Angelo Brocato’s, Mandina’s, Liuzza’s, and Endymion.

The Mid-City Neighborhood Organization is a civic group active in the Mid-City neighborhood of New Orleans. The organization’s main goal is to improve the quality of life for all residents of the Mid-City neighborhood. In pursuit of this goal, MCNO has been an active voice in the rebuilding of the Mid-City neighborhood following the levee failures that flooded the area in August 2005.

P.O. Box 791023 New Orleans, LA 70179 (504) 486-MCNO

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Jennifer Farwell
678-770-6515
housing@mcno.org

Photography is available