Affordable Housing

Public Housing

HANO’s Asset Management Department is responsible for managing the agency’s public housing units, and the oversight of affordable housing managed by private property management companies. These communities include senior housing, family housing and housing opportunities for persons with disabilities.

The agency has been actively redeveloping its public housing communities since 2004, transforming them into the new mixed- income, mixed-use model. Through the HOPE IV program HANO has fully redeveloped the River Garden, Harmony Oaks, and Columbia Parc communities, with B. W. Cooper and Lafitte currently underway. HANO’s next major project includes the transformation of Iberville, a HUD Choice Neighborhoods Initiative.

For more information on redevelopment projects visit our Communities section.

How to Apply for Public Housing

Visit the My Housing website or go to one of the Public Housing Communities.

Public Housing Contact Information

For more information on applying for public housing, please contact us by calling our Public Housing line at   (504) 670-3446.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Click below for responses to frequently asked questions.

HANO’s public housing program provides rental assistance to low-income families and individuals.
Public housing is limited to low-income families and individuals. Eligibility is based on: 1) annual gross income; 2) whether you qualify as elderly, a person with a disability, or as a family; and 3) U.S. citizenship or eligible immigration status.
You are not required to have a minimum income.
Yes, you and your co-head (spouse or domestic partner), if any, must be at least 18 years of age.
Yes. However, the applicant can only rent in one program.
It is HANO’s policy to admit qualified applicants only. HANO and its Agents are responsible for the selection of applicants in accordance with the guidelines outlined in the Admission and Continued Occupancy Policy (“ACOP”) as well as company policy, approved by HANO, to determine if an applicant is qualified. Qualified applicants must comply with the following:
  1. Be a family which may consist of a single person household;
  2. At least one member of the household is either a citizen or an eligible non-citizen;
  3. Have an Annual Income at the time of admission that does not exceed the low-income limit for occupancy established by HUD (80% of Average Median Income for the City of New Orleans) and specifically for PHA/LIHTC units, Section 42 of the U.S. Government Tax Code (60% of Average Median Income for the City of New Orleans);
  4. Provide Social Security number for all family members;
  5. Meet or exceed the Resident Selection Criteria as set forth in the ACOP or the approved Agent’s selection criteria, including the attendance and successful completion of pre-occupancy or resident orientation class.
When a Site-Based Waiting List is opened, it will be announced through public notice, advertisement in local area newspapers, notification to community stakeholders and posted on HANO’s web page.
Families applying for a unit must:
  1. Fully complete the pre-application form and return the application by mail within the period stated in the application when the waiting list is opened.
  2. Persons with disabilities may call the community of interest to receive an application through the mail or make other arrangements to complete their pre-application when the lists are opened.
  3. If requested, the family may receive an application by mail, but the application must be returned within the timeline announced.
  4. No pre-application is deemed submitted until it is received and stamped by the United States Postal Service and picked up by HANO or its Agents.
The site manager of the property where you applied manages their Waiting List. Please call or visit the leasing office for any question or updates regarding the status of your application.
You must call or visit the community in which you applied to provide updated contact information. This ensures that you will be contacted concerning your application.
You must call or visit the community in which you applied. It is important to provide accurate family composition information to determine which size unit would be appropriate when an apartment becomes available.
You should call or visit the community in which you applied if your source of income or amount of income has changed. Changes in income might affect your admission preference or possibly change your working family preference.
You must call or visit the community in which you applied as soon as possible to reschedule your appointment.
There is no way to predict how long you may have to wait before you are called for a unit. If your application is selected from the preliminary list of applicants based on numerous factors including, but not limited to; admission preference, application date, unit size and if you are found eligible, you will be called to complete a full application.
Applicants should bring the following items for all household members when applying for affordable housing:
  1. State issue photo identification for everyone over 18
  2. Birth Certificate
  3. Social Security Card
  4. Student Status for all students in the household
  5. Source(s) of income received by all household members
  6. Information on assets and expenses
  7. Additional information needed to determine preference qualification
  8. Information regarding a request for reasonable accommodation or for an accessible unit, if applicable
The maximum family gross income that a family may have is based on family size. Maximum family gross income for a Public Housing unit is 80% of Area Median Income Limits (AMI). Maximum family gross income for a Public Housing/LIHTC unit is 60% of Area Median Income Limits (AMI). Click here to view the New Orleans area’s AMI
Yes. However, a preference does not guarantee admission to the program. Preferences are used to establish the order of placement on the waiting list. Please refer to HANO’s Admissions and Continued Occupation Policy (ACOP) – Chapter 4 Section B: Waiting List Preferences.
Rent, which is referred to as the Total Tenant Payment (TTP) in this program, is based on your family’s anticipated gross annual income less allowable deductions, if any.
Depending on the community, residents are responsible for direct payment of utilities and must abide by any and all regulations of the specific utility company, including regulations pertaining to advance payments of deposits.
Yes, you can apply at any Community if the Community of your choice has an open waiting list.
If you are offered a unit and you accept it, you will have to sign a lease with the Community. You will be required to pay a $200 security deposit. You and the Site Manager will review the lease together.
The Housing Authority of New Orleans and its Agents shall permit residents to maintain pets in their dwelling units in accordance with the HANO’s Pet Policy. Residents must comply with all federal, state and local laws pertaining to the possession of animals as well as the provisions of this policy.
In general, you may stay in public housing as long as you comply with the terms of the lease.