New Orleans is losing its neighbors — and the power that comes with them

By K. Wesley White Sr.
Guest Columnist

A stroll down Governor Nicholls Street or a walk past St. Claude Avenue reveals a city in transition. The corner store that once served po-boys until midnight has been replaced by a laptop-friendly coffee bar.

Shotgun doubles once humming with family barbecues now stand dark between weekend Airbnb check-ins. To an outsider, this transformation appears prosperous. However, for many lifelong Black residents, it feels like a gradual eviction – one rent increase, one property tax bill, and one “entire home” listing at a time.

For nearly half a century, Black voters have shaped New Orleans politics. From Dutch Morial’s historic 1978 mayoral victory to the current City Council, electoral power has been rooted in close-knit neighborhoods where residents know one another and consistently participate in elections. This dynamic is shifting. Rising housing costs are pushing families to the suburbs or into the spare bedrooms of relatives; vacation rentals are removing entire blocks from the long-term housing market. A decrease in Black families within city limits translates to fewer Black votes at the polls – and a diminished voice in determining how New Orleans is governed.

The trend is clear:

• Rising rents and property taxes pressure homeowners to sell and tenants to vacate.

• Whole-house short-term rentals convert once-stable homes into mini-hotels, reducing availability for local residents.

• Population shifts alter the political landscape, making it increasingly challenging to elect leaders who understand the everyday concerns of working-class New Orleanians.

The loss of political influence quickly results in policy neglect. As districts shift away from longtime residents, critical priorities such as affordable housing, equitable policing and quality public education are more easily overlooked. What disappears next is less tangible but equally essential: the culture that makes the Crescent City unique. Jazz originated in Black neighborhoods; so did second-line parades, Creole cuisine, Mardi Gras Indians and bounce music. If these communities dwindle, the city’s soul diminishes with them.

This outcome is not inevitable. New Orleans can evolve without losing its identity – if it takes proactive steps:

• Freeze property tax increases for low-income seniors to prevent elders from being taxed out of their homes.

• Enforce existing short-term rental regulations. Implementing meaningful fines and publicizing lists of repeat offenders would restore houses to long-term use.

• Link tax incentives for development to the inclusion of on-site affordable units. Promises to build elsewhere only exacerbate segregation.

• Expand community land trusts that enable families to purchase homes at below-market prices, ensuring they remain affordable for future owners.

• Invest in cultural initiatives, not just infrastructure. Providing small grants to brass band programs, social aid clubs and neighborhood festivals enhances civic life and preserves heritage.

Most importantly, vote. A declining electorate accelerates the loss of influence; participating in elections helps to mitigate this trend.

New Orleans successfully rebuilt itself after the devastation of Hurricane Katrina. It can certainly achieve a balance between growth and justice. However, time is of the essence. Each family priced out, each block converted into tourist accommodations chips away at both the city’s identity and its Black political foundation. The next parade route, the next zoning battle, the next mayoral race – all depend on whether New Orleans opts for inclusive revitalization or succumbs to a quieter, slower displacement.

The city’s greatness has never been defined by trendy cafés or luxury condominiums. It has always resided in the voices, rhythms and votes of the people who built it. Retain those individuals, and New Orleans retains its power – cultural, political and spiritual. Lose them, and the Big Easy risks becoming just another postcard that has forgotten who signed it.

This article originally published in the May 12, 2025 print edition of The Louisiana Weekly newspaper.