About Us

New Orleans is built on a vibrant & culturally rich foundation where celebration is a way of life. Sadly, our city is also known for poverty, violence, neglect and corruption. However, St Roch CDC lives with a vision of Shalom, where nothing is missing or broken— where men and women are gainfully employed, where small businesses thrive, where neighbors own their homes, where faith is strengthened and where people are empowered & encouraged to join in the community transformation. The bottom line is that we believe that Christ is at work in this world making all things new and we are just joining in on His work.

Founded in 2008, St. Roch CDC is a 501(c)3, Christian community development organization offering services to help meet the physical and economic needs of individuals and families. We seek to equip people with training and resources to improve their lives and community as well as connect them to a broader network of people who will help champion their efforts so that dignity, families and our community are restored.

Our vision is to see individuals empowered to change their lives, families and community.

Our mission is to serve as a catalyst to help lift people out of material and asset poverty and wholistically restore our community.

Our Strategies

Affordable Housing

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 the goal of putting 8-12 units a year back into commerce. 

“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

Completed Projects