$36 Million for Community Needs! Big Easy Budget Coalition puts the people first.
At the heart of New Orleans lies a community-driven vision for equity, safety, and opportunity: the Big Easy Deal. This bold proposal, championed by the Big Easy Budget Coalition (BEBC), sought to address the root causes of poverty, violence, and systemic inequities by investing $125.5 million into affordable housing, youth services, food security, and community safety initiatives.
Committee for a Better New Orleans is a proud member of the Big Easy Budget Coalition. We play a key role in convening the coalition, leading budget analysis, and delivering resident education to ensure the community's voice is at the center of budget advocacy. Together, we drive meaningful progress for a more equitable New Orleans
This year, the Coalition achieved significant wins that reflect the power of collective advocacy and the resilience of our community.
A Vision Rooted in Community
The Big Easy Deal was designed with direct input from over 400 Orleans Parish residents, gathered through surveys, community events, and outreach efforts. These conversations revealed key priorities: safe and affordable housing, opportunities for youth, mental health resources, and strategies to enhance community safety.
In response, the Coalition proposed targeted investments:
$100M for Affordable Housing
$18M for Youth Services
$4M for Food Security
$3.45M for Community Safety Initiatives
These asks were not just numbers; they represented tangible solutions to persistent challenges in our city.
Key Wins in the 2024 Budget
While the Coalition’s full vision wasn’t realized, the $37.8 million secured in the 2024 budget underscores the effectiveness of grassroots advocacy. Here’s a closer look at what we accomplished:
Community Safety
$1.5M Funded: Sustained support for the Office of Violence Prevention, community violence interventions, and the UBUNTU Village initiative.
$3.8M Funded: Expansion of the Hospital Violence Intervention Program and the Trauma Recovery Center, ensuring free services for all New Orleanians.
Food Security
$1M Funded: Support for food insecurity programming through the New Orleans Health Department.
$2M Partially Funded: Incentives for businesses meeting fresh food requirements in underserved areas, including New Orleans East.
Housing
$17M Partially Funded: Investments in permanently affordable housing, a crucial step toward addressing the city’s housing crisis.
$10.5M Funded: Enhanced houseless street outreach programs to provide critical support to vulnerable populations.
Youth Services
$0.5M Funded: Expansion of school-based restorative approaches to keep students engaged in education.
$1.5M Partially Funded: Strengthened Family Connects programming to support parents and caregivers.
Advancing Civic Engagement and Equity
Beyond securing budget allocations, the BEBC has made strides in fostering public awareness, access, and inclusion in the budget process:
Engaging Over 1,000 Residents: Through workshops, trainings, and community meetings, we empowered New Orleanians to understand and influence the city’s budget.
Strengthening Partnerships: Collaborative efforts with over 40 community groups ensured a unified voice in advocating for our shared priorities.
Connecting Residents & Government: BEBC met with council members and department heads to develop and garner support for the resident-driven proposals. We appreciated the support of these public servants, whose collaboration with residents demonstrated a shared commitment to achieving meaningful change for our city.
Challenges and the Road Ahead
While we celebrate these victories, significant gaps remain:
Critical housing initiatives, such as forgivable loans for landlords and emergency rental assistance, were not funded.
Essential youth programs, including out-of-school time programming and continued free transit for youth, remain unfunded.
Efforts to expand domestic violence interventions and restorative court diversion approaches were also left out of the budget.
These unmet needs highlight the importance of continued advocacy and collaboration. The BEBC remains steadfast in pushing for a budget that fully reflects the priorities of New Orleans residents.
Stay engaged in a Better Budget!
The wins of 2024 are a testament to the power of community-driven advocacy, but our work is far from over. Join us in the fight for a fair and equitable New Orleans by:
Staying Informed: Follow the Big Easy Budget Coalition to track our progress and learn about upcoming opportunities to engage.
Getting Involved: Attend our workshops and trainings to gain the tools to advocate for your community’s needs.
Building Momentum: Share our vision with your networks and encourage others to join the movement.
Together, we can build a city where everyone thrives, not just survives. Let’s continue the fight for the Big Easy Deal and a brighter future for New Orleans.
