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