The Rosa F. Keller Building, the first supportive housing project in New Orleans, provides sixty energy-efficient units and onsite services for formerly homeless, disabled persons, and low-income workers. Project partners: UNITY of Greater New Orleans and HCI Architecture. Photo: Courtesy of UNITY of Greater New Orleans
Overview
- Preservation-based approach
- Response to increase in homelessness in New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina
- Developed by UNITY of Greater New Orleans in partnership with Community Solutions, opened in 2012
History
- Decaying building, vacant since before Hurricane Katrina
- Hurricane precipitated affordable housing crisis and increased homelessness by 76%
- Average one-bedroom rental cost spiked from $578 before storm to $846 after
Design
- Community Solutions partnered with local nonprofit, UNITY of Greater New Orleans, to redevelop building as housing for homeless and lower-income tenants
- First permanent supportive housing in New Orleans
- Energy-efficient units
- Ten units specially outfitted for mobility-impaired tenants
- 24-hour staffed front desk
- Large internal courtyard
- Fitness room and computer lab
- Music rehearsal rooms
Awards
- 2013 SEED Award for Excellence in Public Interest Design
