NEIGHBORHOOD HOUSING IMPROVEMENT FUND (NHIF)

New Orleans City Code ch. 70, art. III, div. 17

in effect

New Orleans City Code § 70-415.1 Created.

Sec. 70-415.1. - Created. There is hereby created a special fund designated as the City of New Orleans Neighborhood Housing Improvement Fund (hereinafter "NHIF"), into which shall be deposited all proceeds of the special tax authorized by Proposition D of R-91-100, and any other funds designated by lawful authority for deposit in the fund, including revenues collected relative to the nightly occupancy of short-term rentals, pursuant to section 26-616(c). (M.C.S., Ord. No. 26644, § 1, 10-15-15; M.C.S., Ord. No. 27210, § 1, 12-1-16; M.C.S., Ord. No. 28795, § 1, 10-7-21)

New Orleans City Code § 70-415.2 Appropriations.

Sec. 70-415.2. - Appropriations. Appropriations from the proceeds of NHIF shall be used to achieve improved housing conditions and neighborhood stability in the following manner: (1) Provide financing and other assistance for home ownership opportunities for families and individuals in existing structures; (2) Promote neighborhood stability by eliminating blight via remediation and rehabilitation; (3) Provide financing and other assistance for safe, affordable rental housing, provided that rental properties assisted with the proceeds of this fund shall be rented to low- and moderate-income persons/families for a minimum of ten years after receipt of assistance from this fund, and that developments comply with the regulations of the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance. (M.C.S., Ord. No. 26644, § 1, 10-15-15)

New Orleans City Code § 70-415.3 Neighborhood housing advisory committee.

Sec. 70-415.3. - Neighborhood housing advisory committee. (a) No money shall be appropriated from the NHIF in any year unless and until the mayor has appointed a neighborhood housing advisory committee (advisory committee). The neighborhood housing advisory committee shall be limited to advising the mayor and city council concerning appropriations from NHIF. (b) Appointment. The neighborhood housing advisory committee shall be appointed as follows: (1) The mayor, with the approval of the city council, shall appoint nine members to the advisory committee all of whom shall be electors of and domiciled in the city. The appointments shall be submitted for council approval no later than the date of the second council meeting in January. Seven appointees shall be selected from nominations from the city council. Each councilmember shall submit the names of three nominees for appointment to the mayor, who shall select an appointment from one of the three nominations from each councilmember. Two nominees shall be the exclusive appointees of the mayor. (2) Each appointee shall possess expertise or experience in one of the following areas: fair housing, community development, architecture and preservation, sustainable development, regional and neighborhood level housing and neighborhood data, smart growth, populations with special needs, and community and housing development finance. The mayor shall ensure through his/her appointments, that all areas of issue expertise are represented on the advisory committee. (3) The terms of the committee and members appointed thereto shall commence on January 1 of each year and end on December 31 of the same year, and each committee member may be reappointed to the committee in subsequent years. Any vacancy on the committee shall be filled in the manner of the initial appointment and shall be for the remainder of the unexpired term. (c) Restrictions. No organization may apply for funds for the following year from the NHIF, if an officer, director, trustee, partner, employee or contractor of that organization is an appointee to the neighborhood housing advisory committee. Members of the advisory committee shall adhere to the requirements of the Code of Ethics of the City of New Orleans and the Code of Ethics of the State of Louisiana. (M.C.S., Ord. No. 26644, § 1, 10-15-15; M.C.S., Ord. No. 27968, § 1, 12-20-18, eff. 1-1-19)

New Orleans City Code § 70-415.4 Committee duties.

Sec. 70-415.4. - Committee duties. (a) The neighborhood housing advisory committee shall advise and assist the mayor by making recommendations to the chief administrative office (C.A.O.) based on the city's comprehensive housing plan and city's plan for the 21st Century (master plan) for appropriations from the NHIF. (b) The advisory committee will prioritize funding amounts designed to address gaps in the city's housing needs for low and moderate income persons and families or those with special needs. (c) The advisory committee shall receive and review applications for funds from organizations or individuals interested in initiating neighborhood housing projects. (d) The neighborhood housing advisory committee shall review proposed projects to address such needs and shall state the amounts of money to be used for each project. (e) The recommendations for prioritized funding amounts and specific projects shall be updated annually by the advisory committee and submitted to the mayor, the C.A.O., and the city council for their approval and implementation. (M.C.S., Ord. No. 26644, § 1, 10-15-15)

New Orleans City Code § 70-415.5 Submission of recommendations.

Sec. 70-415.5. - Submission of recommendations. (a) Prior to submitting its recommendations to the mayor, the C.A.O., and the city council, but not later than May 1 of each year, the advisory committee shall conduct at least one public hearing, which shall be advertised in the official journal and noticed in accordance with law to receive input and comments from the general public and other interested parties. No later than June 1 of each year, a copy of the minutes from the public hearing shall be submitted to the mayor, the C.A.O., and the clerk of council. (b) The recommendations for the following year developed by the advisory committee shall be submitted to the mayor, the C.A.O., and the clerk of council on or before July 1 of each year. (c) Upon receipt of the advisory committee's recommendations, the mayor may modify, change or amend the recommendations in whole or in part. However, the mayor shall submit his/her final recommendations to the clerk of council no later than August 1 of each year, and the C.A.O. shall consider the recommendations in preparing the preliminary budget for the mayor's consideration in accordance with section 6-102 of the Home Rule Charter. (d) If the mayor fails or neglects to submit final recommendations to the clerk of council on or before August 1 of each year, the council at its first regular meeting thereafter, shall, by motion, formally adopt as the final recommendations those submitted by the advisory committee under subpart (b) of this section, and the council may modify the recommendations as provided in section 70-415.6. (M.C.S., Ord. No. 26644, § 1, 10-15-15; M.C.S., Ord. No. 27968, § 1, 12-20-18, eff. 1-1-19)

New Orleans City Code § 70-415.6 City council action.

Sec. 70-415.6. - City council action. Upon receipt of recommendations from the mayor or from the advisory committee under the provisions of section 70-415.5(c) or (d), the city council shall accept, approve, amend or reject the recommendations submitted. The city council shall approve and adopt recommendations for the following year as submitted or as amended via motion in accordance with applicable law on or before the first regularly scheduled city council meeting in the month of October of each year. The city council shall approve NHIF appropriations in accordance with the provisions in the Home Rule Charter. (M.C.S., Ord. No. 26644, § 1, 10-15-15; M.C.S., Ord. No. 27968, § 1, 12-20-18, eff. 1-1-19)

Source: City of New Orleans, Code of Ordinances and Home Rule Charter (Municode Library, library.municode.com)URL: https://library.municode.com/la/new_orleans/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=PTIICO_CH70FI_ARTIIIFU_DIV17NEHOIMFUNHFetched: 10/28/2026