The New Orleans Affordable Housing Constitutional Amendment goes to voters on Saturday, with broad support from both sides of the aisle, and from all corners of Louisiana. “Republicans, Democrats and Independents in Louisiana are voting yes on Amendment 4 because it’s about local government’s ability to develop their own solutions to local problems. That’s why I’m joining my colleagues Representatives Richmond and Scalise in supporting this measure,” said Congressman Garret Graves. “Although it doesn’t impact surrounding parishes, voters statewide support New Orleans’ efforts to solve its affordability crisis,” said Congressman Cedric Richmond.

Amendment 4 would allow the City of New Orleans to develop local solutions to local problems, which is why it enjoys such broad support among Louisiana’s elected officials and business leaders. “The reason why I’m supporting Amendment #4 is because it empowers local officials to determine what they can do with their local tax dollars,” said Mayor Adrian Perkins of Shreveport. Congressman Steve Scalise notes, “if passed, it will allow the City of New Orleans to more effectively clean up blighted housing, and build more affordable housing. While it only affects New Orleans, I urge our neighbors from all across the state to support this measure on the ballot when they go to the polls in October.”

New Orleans is in the midst of an affordable housing crisis. Many longtime residents are facing skyrocketing assessments and rents. “Tackling the affordable housing crisis has been a priority for me since my earliest days in Broadmoor, and I am tremendously proud that--- with this amendment, we will be able to make real substantive progress and do something that’s never been done before,” said New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell.

While the amendment would only impact New Orleans, leaders statewide recognize its value to protecting Louisiana’s economic engine. Says Representative Jack McFarland, ““I’m voting yes on Amendment #4 this October because it’s a win-win with a single vote. A win for local control and a win for housing.” “This is a market-based solution supported by the business community,” said Representative Cameron Henry. “It does not impact us, but we support New Orleans and all the other cities throughout the state,” said Monroe Mayor Jamie Mayo.

Along with a litany of statewide elected officials, Amendment #4 has the support of numerous political, business, and cultural organizations, including Capital One, the Business Council of New Orleans and the River Region, the Jefferson Parish Council, Greater New Orleans Fair Housing Action Center, the Music and Culture Coalition of New Orleans, the Louisiana Budget Project, Step Up Louisiana, and several others.

Action New Orleans, a political action committee formed to support the goals of the Cantrell administration, has led the campaign to pass Amendment 4. In addition to digital ads, radio ads, and community engagement, the organization opened a field office to coordinate volunteer efforts statewide. Learn more at actionnola.com/oct12.

The complete list of officials and organizations supporting the New Orleans Affordable Housing Constitutional Amendment can be found below.

Elected Officials:
Congressman Steve Scalise, LA-01
Congressman Cedric Richmond, LA-02
Congressman Garret Graves, LA-06
Senator Edward Price, SD2
Senator JP Morrell, SD3
Senator-Elect Jimmy Harris, SD4
Senator Karen Carter Peterson, SD5
Senator Troy Carter, SD7
Senator-Elect Patrick Connick, SD8
Senator Gerald Boudreaux, SD24
Senator Eric LaFleur, SD28
Representative Jim Morris, HD1
Representative Jack McFarland, HD13
Representative Katrina Jackson, HD16
Representative Vincent Pierre, HD44
Representative Kirk Talbot, HD78
Representative Julie Stokes, HD79
Representative Clay Schexnayder, HD81
Representative Cameron Henry, HD82
Representative Walt Leger, HD91
Representative Royce Duplessis, HD93
Representative Neil Abramson, HD98
Representative Ted James, HD101
Mayor LaToya Cantrell, New Orleans
Mayor Sharon Weston Broome, Baton Rouge
Mayor Adrian Perkins, Shreveport
Mayor Jeff Hall, Alexandria
Mayor Jamie Mayo, Monroe
Mayor Clarence Fields, Pineville
Councilmember Helena Moreno, New Orleans At-Large
Councilmember Jason Williams, New Orleans At-Large
Councilmember Joseph I. Giarrusso III, New Orleans District A
Councilmember Jay Banks, New Orleans District B
Councilmember Kristin Gisleson Palmer, New Orleans District C
Councilmember Jared Brossett, New Orleans District D
Councilmember Cyndi Nguyen, New Orleans District E
Jefferson Parish Council
Councilmember W. Beau Black, Plaquemines District 2

Organizations:
The New Orleans Advocate | Times-Picayune
Big Easy Magazine
Business Council of New Orleans and the River Region
Capital One
Crescent City Community Land Trust
Enterprise Community Partners
The Gambit
Greater New Orleans Fair Housing Action Center
Greater New Orleans, Inc.
Indivisible New Orleans
Know Your Vote
Louisiana Budget Project
Louisiana Democratic Party
The Music & Culture Coalition of New Orleans
National Association of Real Estate Brokers - New Orleans
Power Coalition for Equity and Justice
Sister District Project
Step Up Louisiana
United Teachers of New Orleans