Our Mission

New Orleans Area Habitat for Humanity (NOAHH) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, incorporated in 1983 as an independent affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International (HFHI).

Since its inception, NOAHH has been working in partnership with hard working, low-income families in New Orleans to build and finance new, safe, affordable homes. The program makes homeownership possible for families who are unable to qualify for traditional home loans but have a stable job, good or no credit, and the willingness to contribute 350 hours of sweat equity to the building of Habitat homes.

New Orleans continues to rebuild housing that was destroyed by the devastating flooding of Hurricane Katrina. NOAHH has become a beacon of hope in this rebuilding process by recruiting and deploying tens of thousands of volunteers to construct new homes in damaged, blighted neighborhoods. With the support of our volunteers, donors, and partners across the country and even the world, NOAHH's homebuilding capacity has increased annually since 2005. New Orleans is a city with historically low rates of homeownership and high levels of poverty, yet it is a place of resiliency, hope, and cultural vibrancy.

With a spirit of renewal, NOAHH is rising to the challenges presented by a substandard housing stock and is helping many to realize their dream of homeownership.

History

New Orleans Area Habitat for Humanity was founded in 1983 and averaged a building capacity of 10 homes per year until Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Post Katrina, New Orleans Habitat has built over 617 homes (as of July 20, 2013). The affiliate has more than 30 full time employees, a ReStore discount home improvement store and more than 720 partner families. New Orleans Habitat for Humanity's Musicians' Village is one of the most notable rebuilding projects in New Orleans. The Village is home to 72 partner families in the Upper Ninth Ward of New Orleans and the Ellis Marsalis Center for Music.