This is a problem that truly affects everyone in this city. More than 70 percent of all households pay one-third or more of their incometowards housing costs.
– Andreanecia Morris, chair of the Greater New Orleans Housing Alliance’s Board of Governors, speaking about HousingNOLA, a program of the Greater New Orleans Housing Alliance aimed at increasing access to affordable housing over the next decade. The plan outlines a process to create 3,000 affordable housing opportunities by 2018, for a total of 5,000 housing opportunities by 2021. To read the full plan, visit HousingNOLA.org.
Internet Speeds to Increase in Jefferson and St. TammanyParishes and throughout the Northshore
On December 7, AT&T announced plans to expand its GigaPower(sm) network – offering internet speed up to 1 gigabit per second — to Jefferson Parish, St. Tammany Parish and throughout the Northshore. The faster speeds will enable customers to download 25 songs in less than a second, a TV show in three seconds or a favorite HD movie in less than 36 seconds. Service is expected to begin within the year.
COMING SOON
The Pythian broke ground December 11 at 234 Loyola Avenue. Co-developed by ERG Enterprises, Green Coast Enterprises and Crescent City Community Land Trust, (CCCLT) the project will provide 69 workforce and market-rate apartments aimed at tenants with annual incomes from $35,000 to $70,000. The mixed historic renovation will also feature the Pythian Public Market, Magnolia Physical Therapy and a community health center operated by Access Community Health. The opening is planned for early 2017.
Based in The Woodlands, Texas, Avanti Senior Living was launched in 2013 in an effort to redefine senior housing. The company has announced plans to expand into Covington with a 77,000-square-foot, $15 million community off Oschner Boulevard in the Water Cross at Nord du Lac. The groundbreaking for the 60 assisted-living suites and 50 memory-care suites is set for the first quarter of 2016. Similar communities are planned for Baton Rouge and Lafayette.
RECENT LOUISIANA RANKINGS
“New Orleans is the Best City in America for School Choice”
According to a recent study from the Thomas B. Fordham Institute. The study looked at political support, policy environment, and quantity and quality of choices in cities around the country.
“Louisiana Insurance Department One of the Worst in America for Insurance Regulation”
According to a new comparison study released by the R Street Institute in the fourth annual Insurance Regulation Report Card. Receiving a “D” rating for the second year in a row, Louisiana ranked 49th out of 50 states, besting only North Carolina.
Which Louisiana Cities Manage Debt Best?
A new study by New York Financial Company SmartAsset has ranked the following cities in order of their citizens’ debt-savviness.
Recent Openings
Athleta
Yoga- and athletic-wear retailer Athleta celebrated the opening of its newest store in Lakeside Shopping Center in Metairie on December 9. Presented by St. Charles Avenue magazine, the evening event included free chair massages and raffle prizes from Barre3. All of Athleta’s more than 100 stores offer free fitness classes.
B&B Discount Pharmacy
The grand opening of B&B Discount Pharmacy’s new Metairie store at 610 Veterans Memorial Boulevard (next to Dorignac’s Food Center) took place December 14. An independent pharmacy with ownership roots in the New Orleans area, it is associated with the Health Mart professional network of over 4,000 community pharmacies and pharmacists nationwide. The pharmacy provides customized services such as local delivery, prescription transfers, immunizations and a free vitamin program.
LSU Health New Orleans Dental & Medical Primary Care Clinic
Located on the campus of the LSU Health New Orleans School of Dentistry at 1100 Florida Avenue, this newly opened clinic offers adults the opportunity to be evaluated by both a nurse practitioner and dentist in the same visit. The clinic is funded by a Health Resources and Services Administration grant to the LSU New Orleans School of Nursing to bring primary care to underserved areas.
Kendra Scott
In partnership with the Junior League of New Orleans, Kendra Scott celebrated the recent opening of its 5757 Magazine Street store December 4. This marks the leading fashion-accessories brand’s 30th store. The store offers shoppers the opportunity to create customized jewelry in minutes. As part of the grand opening event, the store showcased five community projects funded by the Junior League and asked shoppers to vote on which would receive 20 percent of the night’s proceeds.
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