SACRED HEART AT ST. BERNARD, NEW ORLEANS

AFFORDABLE HOUSING AND MIXED-USE DEVELOPMENT

Urban Focus®, working with Providence Housing and Columbia Residential, developed multi-family housing and ground floor retail at the former Our Lady of Sacred Heart Church in the 7th Ward of New Orleans. The project received zoning approval in March 2015 and was completed in Fall 2018.  Urban Focus®, conceptualized the project and was the development partner leading the rezoning, community engagement, local team management, preliminary financial analysis, grant applications, commercial development and historic tax credit submissions.   In addition, Urban Focus® participated and/or prepared all funding applications for the project including PBV for both City of New Orleans and State of Louisiana, FHLB applications and LIHTC applications to LHC.  In addition, Urban Focus® identified and acquired the retail tenant for the building.

This project includes significant community engagement in the early stages in order to achieve the zoning approval for the height, massing, parking and mix of uses.  Urban Focus® managed the outreach process and was recognized by the New Orleans City Planning Commission staff for the successful and inclusive engagement process.