Program Overview  The Homeownership Expansion and Resilience Opportunities Program (HERO) is an affordable homeownership initiative to support the development of quality affordable housing. The program combines discounted land disposition, construction financing, and project subsidy assistance such as gap financing to eligible developers to construct affordable, for-sale homes for homebuyers up to 100% AMI in Orleans Parish. The program is open to developers building on eligible properties and does not require construction on NORA-owned land. HERO is designed to:   Address the communities’ shortage of affordable homeownership opportunities in the City of New Orleans Promote neighborhood stabilization and reinvestment in underserved communities Expand wealth-building opportunities for Low-to-Moderate Income (LMI) households through sustainable homeownership  The program promotes long-term sustainability by:  Creating permanent affordable homeownership opportunities  Leveraging private first mortgage financing and other public and private investment sources; and  Recycling HTF Program Income through loan repayments and resale proceeds to support future housing activities. NORA will offer construction loans during the construction period as well as project subsidy assistance to cover any funding gaps that exist between the total development cost of the project and the final sales price of the home.  Funds are also made available directly to homebuyers to bridge affordability gaps that may exist between their first mortgage financing and the final sales price of the homes. Application window: October 21, 2026 – December 1, 2026 Register for an account through NORA’s WebGrants portal here. Please allow for up to 2 business days for NORA to approve your registration. Once approved, you may begin submitting applications to open funding opportunities. If you already have a valid NORA WebGrants User ID and Password, you do not need to register again. Your existing credentials can be used to access and apply for any open funding opportunity.  

Target Areas  The target areas for this program prioritizes areas designated as stronger-market neighborhoods by the New Orleans Market Value Analysis requirement that all funds must affirmatively further fair housing.  NORA reserves the right to expand eligible target areas to include additional underserved or priority neighborhoods within the City of New Orleans, as determined by program needs, funding availability, and consistency with adopted housing and community development priorities.  Eligible Properties  NORA will provide a current list of eligible vacant properties as an attachment to the applicable Funding Opportunity in NORA's WebGrants portal. The property inventory will consist of vacant lots located within designated target areas of New Orleans and available for redevelopment through the Homeownership Expansion and Resilience Opportunities (HERO). Only applicants in good standing with NORA will be eligible to receive property awards under this solicitation. Applicants are responsible for reviewing the most current property inventory posted with the Funding Opportunity. NORA properties:  Will be sold at 10% of appraised value or $4,000, whichever is greater.  Must be developed for households earning ≤100% of Area Median Income (AMI)   All constructed residential units must:   Meet applicable state and local building codes, permitting, and construction requirements  Achieve Energy Star ® certification consistent with the most current applicable version in effect at the time of construction  Comply with FORTIFIED Gold construction standards in accordance with the most current applicable version, where applicable  Adhere to NORA’s Hazard Resilience Standards, consistent with the most current applicable version Click here to view the property map.  Click here for a full list of properties. Applicants that apply with a property they currently own must have a minimum of 20% developer equity in the project, inclusive of the HERO loan. You may not borrow more than 80% of total development cost including the HERO loan. The property must be free of tax liens, judgments, code violations and other such encumbrances.

Under HERO, New Orleans Redevelopment Authority will utilize HTF funds to provide construction financing and related subsidy assistance for the development of affordable housing units benefiting households up to 100% AMI. NORA is authorized to carry out eligible housing activities utilizing HTF funds.Including administering construction financing, subsidy assistance, acquisition, redevelopment and other eligible affordable housing activities designed to support neighborhood revitalization objectives. NORA may retain revenue generated from lending activities, including but not limited to interest earnings and principal payments, and other related proceeds, to support the continued operation and expansion for the construction lending program. Revenue received from the sale or resale of housing constructed under HERO as a result of carrying out eligible activities will be retained for the specific purpose of creating revolving loan funds to continue the construction lending program activity. Developer Eligibility Individuals, non-profit, and for-profit entities are eligible to apply as a developer in this program. Applicants must: Demonstrate financial feasibility, capacity and repayment ability Demonstrate organizational experience and capacity to complete the project Be in good standing with the City of New Orleans and have no outstanding debts with the City of New Orleans  Be listed as Active and In Good Standing with the Louisiana Secretary of State Be in good standing with the City’s Office of Code Enforcement Not be encumbered with outstanding ad valorem taxes or municipal lien violations at the time of application and closing Not be in violation or default of any other NORA program at the time of application or closing Not be debarred, suspended, or otherwise excluded from receiving government funding

Eligible Uses  Financing is available to support the redevelopment and construction of scattered-site, for-sale residential housing on properties acquired through this program.   Eligible costs shall be limited to approved redevelopment and construction expenses consistent with approved project budgets. All funds are disbursed on a reimbursement basis only, and applicants must maintain accurate and complete documentation of all project expenditures. Therefore, developers must have the capacity to maintain detailed documentation and accurate accounting of all project expenditures, as well as final “actual” development costs for each property constructed HERO funds may be utilized for eligible housing activities including, but not limited to:   Hard Costs   New construction of single-family housing units Site preparation and infrastructure directly related to housing Construction labor and materials   Soft Costs (Maximum 10%) Architectural and Engineering services Plans and specifications Required Inspections and permits Appraisals (excluding Market Studies) Fire Marshal fees and City Agency permitting Fees related to construction/permit fees to the City Agencies Construction Management    Insurance & Project Costs  Builder’s Risk Insurance Property Insurance during and after construction  Homebuyer Assistance (if needed to ensure affordability)   Down payment assistance Closing Cost assistance Gap financing  All required forms and detailed budget items are provided within the WebGrants funding opportunity and must be completed and uploaded as part of the application.  Ineligible Uses  Rental housing development is not an eligible activity for the use of these funds.   Funds may not be used for: Acquisition of real property or land  Refinancing of existing or new debt or reimbursement of previously incurred project costs  Payment of any delinquent taxes, arrearages, liens, judgements   Payment of governmental fines or penalties  Buyout any stockholder or equity holder in a business entity  Purchase of financial instruments intended for the sole purpose of return on investment   Any other activity determined by NORA to be ineligible or not compliant with applicable regulations. 

The program will provide construction financing to qualified developers to support the development of affordable housing units. Financing is structured as a low-interest construction loan designed to cover the gap between Total Development Cost (TDC) and the final sales price of the housing unit. The final sales price of each completed home sold to a Qualified Homebuyer must be priced within ten percent (10%) of the appraised value. Community Land Trusts must sell within 10% of the appraised value of the improvements, which is calculated independently of the underlying land cost. Loan Structure Loans are issued on a per-property basis Maximum loan amount: $100,000 per property A minimum of $10,000 must be repaid to NORA Developers will execute all required loan documents prior to closing and the commencement of construction. Subsidy Structure  Loan forgiveness is structured as a sum of developer/project subsidy and homebuyer subsidy, subject to the following limits: A maximum of $80,000 of the loan may be forgiven as Developer/Project Subsidy, based on documented need and project financing gap. Up to $70,000 may be provided to a qualified Homebuyer as a Homebuyer Subsidy, based on documented need. The Developer must reserve a minimum of $10,000 for the Homebuyer Subsidy. Homebuyer subsidy will be provided in the form of a Soft Second Mortgage For projects utilizing a Community Land Trust (CLT) model, given CLTs affordability requirements for all subsequent buyers of the home, affordability subsidies are incorporated into the project’s development costs rather than provided as an individual subsidy to the homebuyer. The $10,000 reservation for homebuyer subsidy will not apply for CLT properties, provided the homebuyer does not need it. Up to $90,000 in loan forgiveness may be allocated to the developer subsidy, subject to all other program requirements and the maximum total forgiveness limit remains at $90,000. The combined total of developer/project subsidy and homebuyer subsidy may not exceed $90,000 per property. Repayment of Unused Funds  Any portion of the loan not applied as subsidy must be repaid to NORA, in accordance with loan terms. 

Homebuyer Eligibility Homebuyers must meet the following eligibility requirements: Have a household income at or below 100% AMI, based on the most recent limits published by HUD. Income eligibility will be determined based on the income of all household members in accordance with NORA income verification standards. Qualify for first mortgage financing Agree to occupy the house as their primary residence throughout the applicable Affordability Period which shall be defined by the affordability provisions detailed in a Promissory Note and a Declaration of Covenants and Restrictions. Not have had an ownership interest in a principal residence during the 3-year period ending on the date of purchase of the property.  Not own more than 50% interest in any other residential property at the time of closing Homeownership under this program is not restricted to first-time homebuyers, but eligible homebuyers may not own more than 50% interest in any other home at the time of closing. Homebuyer Assistance & Financing Coordination Homebuyers are eligible to apply for and receive Soft Second funds from City of New Orleans programs. If the buyer is approved for both, NORA will subordinate its lien position to the City’s loan through an Act of Subordination, subject to approval. Developer Responsibilities for Homebuyer Identification Developers are responsible for: Marketing homes to income-eligible homebuyers and Good Neighbors Ensuring that all buyers meet program eligibility requirements Coordinating with real estate professionals (agents) and program partners to identify qualified purchasers Developers must model their projects to target households at or below 100% AMI. Developers must demonstrate, through their application, a clear and feasible strategy for identifying and securing qualified homebuyers. First Look for “Good Neighbors” - Priority Marketing To support neighborhood stability and community investment, developers must prioritize marketing to “Good Neighbors” before all other buyers during the initial marketing period. For the first 30 days of marketing, properties may only be placed under contract with buyers who meet both: The definition of a Qualified Homebuyer, and The definition of a Good Neighbor “Good Neighbors” include households with at least one member employed as: A law enforcement officer (with the ability to make arrests for violations of federal, state, or local laws) A pre-kindergarten through 12th-grade teacher A firefighter An emergency medical technician (EMT)

Register for the HERO Information Session

An informational session meeting will be held, on November 4th, at 3:00pm (Central Time).  The session will be conducted virtually.  Participation is encouraged but not required.  During the session, NORA staff will: Provide an overview of the program Review application requirements Answer questions from prospective applicants A recording of the session will be made available on NORA’s website following the meeting.Registration is required to attend. Register here.

Contact Information: Alicia Buenaventura This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 504-658-4433

FAQ

Fortify NOLA Gap Funding Program

Program Overview If you received a Louisiana Fortify Homes Program grant, you may be eligible for the Fortify NOLA Gap Funding Program. If the cost of your approved FORTIFIED Roof™ project exceeds your Louisiana Fortify Homes Program grant award, you may qualify for additional funding through the City of New Orleans's Fortify NOLA Gap Funding Program, administered by the New Orleans Redevelopment Authority (NORA).

Your potential Gap Funding award is based on household income, household size, and the final approved project cost. Households at or Below 80% Area Median Income (AMI)  Eligible homeowners may qualify for Gap Funding to cover the remaining eligible project costs, up to the full reasonable cost as determined by NORA. Households Between 81% and 120% Area Median Income (AMI)  Eligible homeowners may qualify for up to $5,000 in Gap Funding. Please Note  Final Gap Funding awards are determined after: Household income has been verified. Required documentation has been submitted. Your final roofing contractor has been selected. The final project cost has been reviewed and approved by NORA.

To determine your eligibility for NORA Gap Funding, you must: Be a selected award recipient through the Louisiana Fortify Homes Program. Own and occupy the home as your primary residence. Have a household income at or below 120% of the Area Median Income (AMI). Submit all required household income documentation. Select your final roofing contractor. Have your final project costs reviewed by NORA. Eligible homeowners may receive Gap Funding to cover remaining eligible project costs, up to the full reasonable cost as determined by NORA. 2025 Household Income Limits  Income eligibility is determined using the 2025 HUD Income Limits for Orleans Parish based on your household size and annual household income.

2026  NEW ORLEANS HUD MEDIAN FAMILY INCOME  $88,600  (Effective 6/1/2026) 

Getting Started is Easy! Step 1: Visit noraworks.org/fortified Review the program requirements and complete the online interest form. Step 2: Submit your required income documentation and any additional information requested by NORA. Step 3: NORA will review your application, verify your eligibility, determine your Gap Funding award amount, and contact you regarding the next steps.

What If I am Not Eligible? We encourage those that are not currently eligible to register to receive information regarding future rounds of the state program at https://ldi.la.gov/fortifyhomes and to register to receive information regarding future NORA programs at https://public.govdelivery.com/accounts/LANOLA/subscriber/new. 

Questions? We're Here to Help!

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Important Information Participation in the NORA Gap Funding Program is subject to program eligibility requirements and available funding. Receipt of a Louisiana Fortify Homes Program grant does not automatically qualify an applicant for NORA Gap Funding. Gap Funding awards are determined after income qualification, verification of required documentation, selection of the final roofing contractor, and review of the final approved project costs.

FAQ

Fortify NOLA Gap Program FAQs

FAQ

At this time, the Fortify NOLA Gap Funding Program is available only to homeowners whose household income is at or below 120% of the Area Median Income (AMI) and who meet all other program requirements. Applicants with household incomes above 120% AMI are not eligible for Gap Funding through this program.

To determine your eligibility, NORA will request documentation based on your household's income sources. Depending on your situation, you may be required to provide: - Government-issued identification for all adult household members (or a birth certificate/government-issued ID for minors) - Employment income documentation (four most recent pay stubs) - Self-employment income documentation (2024 and 2025 IRS Tax Return Transcripts) - Social Security, pension, retirement, child support, or alimony documentation, if applicable - Documentation for unemployment benefits or other household income, if applicable - Any additional documentation requested by NORA to verify eligibility Please note: Required documentation varies by household. A complete list of required documents will be provided with the application packet.

No.  There is currently no established application deadline for the Fortify NOLA Gap Funding Program. Applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis while Program funding remains available. Applications are processed on a first-complete, first-served basis. An application is not considered complete until all required supporting documentation has been received. If your application is incomplete, NORA will notify you of any missing or additional documentation needed to continue the review process. Because Program funding is limited and subject to availability, applicants are strongly encouraged to submit their application and any requested documentation as soon as possible. Submission of an application does not guarantee funding.

Please allow up to 10 business days for NORA to process a completed application. Once NORA receives your completed application and all required supporting documentation, staff will review your information to determine program eligibility. During the review process, NORA will: Verify household income. Review all required supporting documentation. Determine program eligibility. Evaluate final project costs. Once the review is complete, applicants will receive written notification advising whether they have been approved or denied for Gap Funding. Please note that processing times may be extended if your application is incomplete or additional documentation is required.

Yes. Receiving a grant through the Louisiana Fortify Homes Program does not automatically qualify you for the Fortify NOLA Gap Funding Program. All applicants must complete NORA's application process and meet the program's income and eligibility requirements.

Your potential Gap Funding award is determined based on several factors, including: - Household income. - Household size. - The final approved cost of your FORTIFIED Roof™ replacement project. - The amount already awarded through the Louisiana Fortify Homes Program. - Available program funding. - Final award amounts are determined after all eligibility requirements have been met and your project costs have been reviewed.

No. Approved Gap Funding assistance will be paid in accordance with the Fortify NOLA Gap Funding Program guidelines. Additional payment information will be provided to eligible applicants during the funding process.