Councilmember Lesli Harris Releases 2024 Annual Report, Highlighting Major Achievements in Housing, Public Safety and Community Development

This bulletin was sent at 03/11/2025 03:33 PM CDT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

March 11, 2025

Councilmember Lesli Harris Releases 2024 Annual Report, Highlighting Major Achievements in Housing, Public Safety and Community Development

NEW ORLEANS - Today, Councilmember Lesli Harris released her 2024 Annual Report, detailing a year of significant progress on affordable housing, public safety, homelessness initiatives, and community engagement in District B.

Key Accomplishments from 2024:

Historic Housing Trust Fund Victory: With over 75 percent voter approval, the Housing Trust Fund City Charter Amendment secured a permanent funding source for affordable housing in New Orleans. Starting in 2026, two percent of the City’s general fund—approximately $17 million annually—will be dedicated to affordable and workforce housing and resilience projects.
Home for Good Initiative: The City’s comprehensive approach to tackling homelessness saw significant success, rehousing 822 individuals by December 2024, with a goal to reach 1,500 by the end of 2025.
Public Safety Improvements: Through ongoing engagement with NOPD Chief Anne Kirkpatrick, increased funding for crime prevention initiatives, and community-driven crime reduction efforts, Councilmember Harris has prioritized neighborhood safety while addressing root causes of violence.
Community Investment & Engagement: Councilmember Harris hosted the first-ever Housing Resource Fair, which provided housing, financial and wellness resources to over 200 residents. The Young Women’s Leadership Academy (YWLA), in partnership with Loyola, and Level Up Girls Leadership Program, in partnership with Councilmember Helena Moreno, empowered young women with leadership training and mentorship opportunities.

“We have made real progress in improving the lives of New Orleanians—ensuring that residents have access to affordable housing, expanding homelessness solutions and strengthening public safety efforts,” said Councilmember Harris. “I am proud of the work we’ve done and look forward to building on this momentum in 2025.”

The full 2024 Annual Report is available here.

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Contact:

Emma Trunkle

Communications Director

Councilmember Lesli Harris, District 'B'

Emma.Trunkle@nola.gov

406.871.4693

New Orleans City Council

The New Orleans City Council is the legislative branch of the New Orleans city government. The Council considers and enacts all local laws that govern the City of New Orleans. The Council also approves the operating and capital budgets for the City, as recommended by the mayor, and continually monitors revenues and expenditures for local government operations. The City Council is also the regulatory body for public utilities. It also reviews and has the final say on many land use and zoning matters, as well as considers major economic development projects for the City. As a Board of Review for Orleans Parish, the Council examines appeals of property tax assessments for real estate taxes and certifies tax rolls to the Louisiana Tax Commission. Other responsibilities of the Council include overseeing the operation of the public access television in Orleans Parish. Streaming video and video archives of the City Council's Regular and Committee meetings can be found on the City Council website.

The City Council is comprised of five districts and Councilmembers-at-large: Council President and Councilmember-at-Large Helena Moreno; Council Vice President and Councilmember-At-Large JP Morrell; District "A" Councilmember Joseph I. Giarrusso, III; District "B" Councilmember Lesli D. Harris; District "C" Councilmember Freddie King III; District "D" Councilmember Eugene J. Green, Jr.; and District "E" Councilmember Oliver M. Thomas, Jr.

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