Wesley Bishop (HB 1001) Act No. 801
New law requires the city of New Orleans to sell, for $100 per parcel, vacant lots that are
located in the Lower Ninth Ward, that were acquired prior to Jan. 1, 2015, through the La.
Road Home program, and that are either owned by the New Orleans Redevelopment
Authority or the authority has been tasked with management and disposition of the property.
Provides that such sales shall only be to a purchaser who meets one of the following criteria
and that property shall be made available to these groups in the order they are listed:
(1)He is qualified under the Lot Next Door program, which authorizes the sale of
property to adjacent property owners, and he agrees to retain and maintain the
property for at least five years.
(2)He leases residential property in the Lower Ninth Ward, he has resided at that
property for at least 18 months as of the effective date of new law, and he agrees to
retain and maintain the property for not less than five years.
(3)He is a veteran of the U.S. armed forces, employed as an emergency responder, a
teacher or a former teacher, or a former resident of the Lower Ninth Ward.
(4)He agrees to build a residence on the property and to reside at that residence for at
least five years.
Prohibits sale to a developer, a corporate entity, or a person with an active code enforcement
violation or outstanding tax lien.
Requires the governing authority of the city of New Orleans, in consultation with the state
representative from House District No. 99 and the state senator from Senate District No. 3,
to establish necessary rules and regulations. Provides that such rules and regulations shall
specifically include: (1) provision for the reversion of property to the city if the purchaser
fails to meet his obligations and (2) appropriate time periods during which property is
available for purchase to the various groups in the order established by new law.
Effective if and when the proposed amendment of Article VII of the Constitution of La.
contained in Act No. 872 of the 2014 R.S. is adopted at a statewide election and becomes
effective. Ceases to be effective 10 years later.
(Adds R.S. 33:4720.11)