Immediately after Hurricane Ida, lowernine.org focused on the food security side of our mission. Our community is a food desert, and our neighbors lost all the perishables they had with the loss of power. We worked to immediately feed families with prepared meals, and now that electricity is restored, are working to refill their fridges and freezers. Through our partnerships with other non-profits, we have solid footing and are meeting that need, and will continue to do so.
It’s time to pivot.
Our founding mission is residential rebuilding and repairs post Katrina – we are STILL working with survivors of that earlier storm to bring Lower Ninth Ward families home and to keep them in safe, affordable housing by providing vital structural repairs. Disaster recovery is not just immediate, it’s ongoing. And we are here for that long haul.
FEMA and non-profits are helping to tarp roofs as a short-term solution following Ida, but we know that it’s going to take more than that and unfortunately, many of our community members live paycheck to paycheck and may not be able to hire a legitimate company to repair their roofs. Often, our neighbors fall victim to contractor fraud because they cannot afford to hire anyone formally. That’s where lowernine.org can provide a vital service. We are going to repair roofs rather than patch them – hope you can help us get this done!
We are seeking direct financial support to offset the costs of building materials for our clients – in particular roofing materials and supplies.
The Lower Ninth Ward is a currently and historically Black community. Before Hurricane Katrina, the L9W had one of the highest concentrations of Black homeownership in the nation. Wealth retention and development are key factors in overcoming systemic racism, and one of the most effective ways to achieve this is through homeownership.
help us help more lower ninth ward families return home and stay home.
call 504.278.1240 or email info@lowernine.org for more information, or with any questions.