Restoring

“Gentrification with justice – that’s what is needed to restore health to our urban neighborhoods. Needed are gentry with vision who have compassionate hearts as well as real estate acumen. We need gentry whose understanding of community includes the less-advantaged, who will use their competencies and connections to ensure that their lower-income neighbors share a stake in their revitalizing neighborhood. The city needs land-owning residents who are also faith-motivated, who yield to the tenets of their faith in the inevitable tension between value of neighbor over value of property.” – Bob Lupton

Problem & Strategy

Gentrification is in full effect in many New Orleans neighborhoods with St. Roch recently being labeled “ground zero.” As prices rise for both renters and those looking to buy, many low-income neighbors are being squeezed out. Within our holistic approach to community development, St. Roch CDC is committed to providing opportunities for the material poor to remain and enjoy the benefits of an improved neighborhood. Our strategy is to continue acquiring vacant lots for new construction as well as existing structures to renovate with goal of putting up to 8-12 units a year back into commerce. It is our plan to collaborate with groups such as NORA, local lenders, foundations and other organizations to layer funding, resources and lending products to ensure our homes are affordable.

Our Developments

We renovated this 1940 Craftsman, 1400 square foot house inside and out. Having set vacant for a couple of years and a liability to the neighborhood, it now serves as a “ministry house” for St. Roch Community Church. The men that live here currently have a vision to use their house as a launching point to build life changing relationships with youth and young adults of the community. See renovation photos here.

Once a blight, this historic corner comercial double has been restored and now serves as home to Staples Goods Gallery. On the commercial side there are 6 artist studios and a modest gallery space. The residential side has 2 bedrooms and one bath. See renovation photos here.

We bought this 4,000 square foot double in 2009 and it was in really bad shape. After 18 months it became a (large) gem and we sold it to a local teacher.

We bought this 780 square foot cottage in 2009 and complete renovated it adding many money saving features such as foam insulation, new windows and Hardie Board siding. After renting it our for the first two year we are now selling it.

In 2008 we renovated this 3 bedroom/2 bath 2-bay shotgun house that serves as the parsonage for Pastor J.B. Watkins of St. Roch Community Church and his family. Downstairs, 1734 St. Roch Ave. B, serves as office space for St. Roch Community Church.

This was an old corner store that we renovated and converted into a small church, St. Roch Community Church, in 2009.

This was a storage garage and studio apartment when we started. Now the downstairs serves as program space for youth activities, church functions and other events. The upstairs studio apartment is home to St. Roch Community Church’s Artist-in-Residency program.