Orleans Parish--Priority Issues

The following bullets highlight the key issues determined by Orleans Parish planning efforts by recovery sector.  These issues are preliminary.  Community input is currently underway and many plan reports have not yet been released.  Therefore, the following items are subject to change as more information is revealed in Orleans Parish.

Economic and Workforce Development

• Restore and foster small businesses throughout the parish.
• Restore and rejuvenate the tourism industry.
• Increase opportunities for returning workers as a way to both increase quality of life and spur the city’s economic revival.
• Lower the unemployment rate.

Environmental 

• Restore city parks and recreational areas.
• Link neighborhoods with parks and community centers.

Flood Protection and Coastal Restoration

• Restore areas that have been eroded and build structures to minimize future erosion.
• Minimize the risk of future flooding in New Orleans and surrounding areas.
• Restore and protect valuable coastal wetlands.

Human Services

• Reestablish human service programs for existing and returning residents.

Education

• Restore primary and secondary educational facilities throughout the parish.
• Restore and improve the educational curriculum in the parish.
• Restore institutions of higher education within the parish.
• Rebuild schools to include traditional and non-traditional education facilities.

Public Health and Healthcare

• Restore and improve all health care facilities including clinics, hospitals, and emergency care. 
• There is extremely limited access to primary care services in the New Orleans region.
• Limited infrastructure is available for temporary, transitional, or permanent health care facilities.
• Medical care facilities are strained financially due to the dramatic increase in the cost of caring for the uninsured.
• The need for mental health services exceeds the region’s capability to provide care. SAMHSA estimates 43,000 individuals will require mental health care post-Katrina.
• The ability to deliver high quality care in the New Orleans area is hindered by a severe lack of qualified medical personnel.

Transportation and Infrastructure

• Economic recovery has been hindered by damage to port and maritime facilities.
• Sewer and water lines in different zones of the city were severely damaged and need repairs.
• The loss of sewerage may cause long term public health issues for the residents of New Orleans.
• The sewer system may not be able to meet demand as residents return home.
• Millions of gallons of potable water are lost through leaks in the water system every day.
• The economic recovery of Orleans Parish is hindered by the lack of safe and functioning infrastructure.
• Underground utility lines and electrical wiring are compromised.
• The existing street drainage system is inadequate.
• Streets need to be brought up to DOTD safety standard.
• Mass transit systems need to restored and expanded.

 Housing and Community Development

• Increase the new housing construction rate in the city.
• Restore/rehabilitate damaged but repairable housing throughout the city.
• Increase awareness of the availability and benefits of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).
• Increase the range of housing options and related services for persons with special needs (elderly, disabled, homeless).
• Address and prioritize the need for affordable housing options.
• Increase the availability and quality of owner-occupied housing.
• Allow the restoration/rehabilitation of existing non-residential buildings as mixed use residential/commercial.
• Neighborhood treasures such as historic buildings should receive priority funding and attention.
• The city and neighborhoods need basic decision making information to understand whether residents intend to return to their homes.