On August 29, 2005, Hurricane Katrina struck the U.S. Gulf Coast, leaving a legacy of destruction and displacement in New Orleans and along the coastal areas of Mississippi and Alabama. Since then, New Orleans has faced rapid gentrification, a sharp decrease in affordable housing, and a significant decline in its Black population—from 67% in 2000 to approximately 56% in 2025.
As we approach the 20th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina, Community Spaces Network (CSN) is proud to highlight the work of our friends at People’s Housing+ (PH+) in New Orleans.
In less than 100 days, PH+ hand-built four FORTIFIED™ Gold Standard homes— safe, storm-resilient, and permanently affordable. These aren’t just houses, they’re a bold example of how social purpose real estate can build stability, equity, and power in communities that have been historically left out of ownership and opportunity.
PH+ focuses on serving longtime Black New Orleanians, pairing development with critical support: homebuyer readiness, financial wellness, and heirship planning. It’s not just about owning a home—it’s about helping them hold on to what’s theirs. That kind of capacity building is essential for community ownership to take root and grow.
At CSN, we believe community-controlled real estate is a powerful tool for change. Whether it’s a multi-tenant nonprofit center or a family home, we know that space is power—and when people have access to space, they build futures.
PH+ lives that mission out loud. Their work reflects a deep commitment to capacity building, resilience, and justice. They are not just building homes—they’re building a future where communities claim space and shape it for generations to come.
This is social purpose real estate in action. And it’s exactly the kind of work our network is proud to stand beside and celebrate!