NORA is excited to announce the re-launch of our popular urban agriculture and gardening lease to purchase program, Growing Green. Since 2012, Growing Green has provided individuals and organizations an opportunity to develop alternative land uses on vacant residential properties that foster neighborhood stability, enhance green space, and promote a sense of community. The same activities will continue to be eligible in the updated program and include neighborhood-scale uses related to greening, gardening, stormwater management and urban agriculture.
The new and improved Growing Green program offers the following updates:
- Regular lease rate of $350/annually for a standard lease
- Discounted lease rate of $175/annually for income-eligible individuals (household income at or below 80% of Area Median Income) only.
- Every leased property will be appraised at NORA’s expense at the end of the 2nd annual lease term to establish the Fair Market Value and to provide the lessee with the purchase price well in advance of the deadline to purchase the property at the end of the of the 3rd annual lease term.
- If eligible to purchase at the end of the 3rd annual lease term, the purchase price will be the Fair Market Value based on a current appraisal (provided by NORA at the end of the 2nd annual lease term), less any timely lease payments provided to NORA.
Please note that these program terms apply only to new applicants and sites approved in the Growing Green Program beginning March 14, 2018. These terms do not apply to current or past participants or sites in previous iterations of the program.
Applications for the new Growing Green program are currently being accepted. You may obtain an application and program manual directly from NORA’s website at redevelop.nola.gov, or contact Brian Burns, Land Stewardship Project Manager at (504) 658-4451 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. We look forward to continuing to work with new and old partners alike to bring vacant properties back to life in a meaningful and useful way.