Neighborhood Profiles / Desire/Florida

Desire/Florida

Neighborhood Overview

The Desire/Florida neighborhood, situated in New Orleans' Upper Ninth Ward, represents a community with deep historical roots and remarkable resilience in the face of multiple structural challenges. Bounded by the Industrial Canal, Florida Avenue, Almonaster Avenue, and the CSX Railroad, this area was predominantly marshland until the mid-20th century when it was developed for industrial uses and working-class housing. The neighborhood's identity was significantly shaped by the construction of the Desire Housing Project in 1956 (demolished in the early 2000s) and remains influenced by its industrial surroundings, historic disinvestment, and the determined spirit of residents who have maintained community bonds despite institutional neglect. Far from tourist routes and often overlooked in broader New Orleans narratives, Desire/Florida demonstrates both the consequences of systemic inequality and the power of community-driven approaches to recovery and revitalization.

Quick Facts

Population: Approximately 3,400 residents (about 60% of pre-Katrina population)
Demographics: Predominantly African American (95%), with strong multi-generational family connections
Housing: Mix of older single-family homes, newer post-Katrina construction, scattered public housing units, and some remaining industrial properties
Historic Significance: Site of the former Desire Housing Project, home to significant civil rights organizing and activism, location of important cultural traditions including second line parades, and birthplace of numerous musicians and artists

Core Challenges

1. Environmental Justice & Industrial Impact

The neighborhood faces significant environmental concerns:

Industrial Proximity: Surrounded by manufacturing, warehousing, and transportation facilities
Air Quality Issues: Pollution from industrial operations and heavy truck traffic
Soil Contamination: Legacy pollutants from historical industrial uses
Flooding Vulnerability: Low-lying areas experiencing frequent inundation
Limited Green Space: Few parks and natural areas within neighborhood

Recent environmental testing in 2023-2024 documented concerning levels of air particulates and soil contaminants in several locations, particularly near industrial facilities along the neighborhood edges.

2. Infrastructure & Basic Services

Basic physical infrastructure faces significant deficiencies:

Street Conditions: Severely deteriorated roadways throughout many sections
Drainage Systems: Inadequate stormwater management causing regular flooding
Public Transportation: Limited service despite high community need
Public Space Maintenance: Neglected parks and community facilities
Utility Reliability: Inconsistent power and water service during weather events

The 2023 infrastructure assessment conducted by the Urban Water Coalition identified Desire/Florida as having some of the city's most severe infrastructure deficiencies, with estimated repair needs exceeding $65 million.

3. Housing Quality & Availability

Housing presents complex challenges across the neighborhood:

Housing Stock Age: Many older homes requiring substantial renovation
Vacant Properties: Numerous abandoned structures and empty lots
Affordable Housing Scarcity: Limited quality options for low-income residents
Recovery Disparities: Uneven rebuilding since Hurricane Katrina
Market Undervaluation: Property values not supporting renovation costs

The legacy of the Desire Housing Project demolition continues to affect housing dynamics, with the promised one-for-one replacement of public housing units never fully realized despite partial development of mixed-income housing.

4. Economic Opportunity & Community Services

The neighborhood faces significant economic challenges:

Employment Access: Limited jobs within walking distance despite industrial surroundings
Commercial Services: Few retail options for daily needs
Healthcare Access: Absence of medical facilities within neighborhood
Educational Resources: Concerns about school quality and resources
Banking & Financial Services: Lack of traditional financial institutions

The 2023 community needs assessment documented that residents must travel an average of 3 miles to access basic grocery shopping, healthcare, and banking services—a significant barrier in a community with low car ownership rates.

Community Assets & Strengths

Despite these challenges, Desire/Florida possesses remarkable assets:

Community Cohesion: Strong social bonds and neighborhood identity
Cultural Traditions: Rich history of music, food, and community celebrations
Faith Communities: Active churches serving as neighborhood anchors
Committed Organizations: Dedicated community development groups
Land Availability: Potential for thoughtful redevelopment on vacant parcels
Multigenerational Knowledge: Elders with deep understanding of neighborhood history
Youth Energy: Emerging generation of community leaders and cultural innovators
Strategic Location: Proximity to developing areas and potential for reconnection

These assets provide a foundation for community-driven solutions that build on existing strengths rather than imposing external development models.

Emerging Solutions

Environmental Justice Campaign

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Community-driven approaches to environmental challenges:

Desire Environmental Monitoring Collaborative: Resident-led testing and documentation
Good Neighbor Agreements: Negotiated standards with industrial facilities
Green Buffer Zone Initiative: Creating protective barriers around residential areas
Environmental Health Education Program: Building community knowledge and capacity
Industrial Impact Documentation Project: Collecting evidence for policy advocacy

These initiatives represent a shift from accepting environmental burdens toward organized community action demanding accountability and remediation.

Infrastructure Equity Initiative

Strategies to address basic infrastructure needs:

Desire/Florida Infrastructure Equity Campaign: Advocacy for fair resource allocation
Citizen Infrastructure Assessment: Resident documentation of conditions
Green Infrastructure Pilot Projects: Water management on community properties
Adopt-a-Block Program: Organized maintenance of public spaces
Transportation Justice Coalition: Advocacy for improved transit service

These approaches combine direct community action with strategic advocacy for more equitable public investment.

Housing Stabilization & Development

Addressing housing needs through multiple approaches:

Desire Community Land Trust: Properties secured for permanent affordability
Home Repair Assistance Network: Supporting existing homeowners
Vacant Property Reclamation Strategy: Converting abandoned lots to productive use
Rental Quality Standards Campaign: Improving conditions in rental properties
Homeownership Pathway Program: Creating access to stable housing

These initiatives focus on both improving existing housing and developing new options that serve neighborhood needs while preventing displacement.

Community Resource Development

Building essential services and opportunities:

Desire Community Resource Center: Multi-service hub for neighborhood needs
Mobile Service Coordination: Bringing essential services into the neighborhood
Workforce Development Partnership: Training connected to actual job opportunities
Youth Leadership Academy: Building next generation of community advocates
Cultural Heritage Programming: Celebrating and preserving neighborhood traditions

These programs work to address service gaps through community-centered solutions while building local capacity and leadership.

Looking Forward: Strategic Priorities

Community leaders have identified several priorities for Desire/Florida's continued development:

1. Environmental Justice & Health

Implementing industrial impact reduction strategies
Addressing legacy contamination through testing and remediation
Creating green buffers between industrial and residential uses
Developing cleaner transportation systems through the neighborhood
Building environment-related job opportunities for residents

2. Infrastructure Renewal & Adaptation

Securing equitable infrastructure investment
Implementing green stormwater management throughout neighborhood
Improving street conditions and sidewalks
Enhancing public spaces and community facilities
Creating better transportation connections to the broader city

3. Housing Stability & Development

Expanding quality affordable housing options
Supporting existing homeowners with maintenance assistance
Addressing vacant properties with community benefit focus
Implementing rental quality standards and enforcement
Creating pathways to homeownership for renters

4. Community Services & Opportunity

Developing essential retail and services within neighborhood
Creating stronger workforce connections to nearby employment
Enhancing youth development and educational support
Building health-related resources and access
Strengthening cultural programming and community celebration

How to Get Involved

Desire/Florida's continued development requires collaborative approaches and sustained commitment. Here are ways to contribute:

For Residents

Join neighborhood associations and advocacy campaigns
Participate in environmental monitoring and documentation
Support community events and cultural traditions
Mentor neighborhood youth and share community history

For Organizations

Align programming with community-identified priorities
Provide technical assistance for resident-led initiatives
Support capacity building for community leadership
Develop services addressing specific neighborhood gaps

For Government Officials

Prioritize infrastructure improvements in historically underserved areas
Implement environmental justice policies and enforcement
Support community-driven development approaches
Ensure effective community engagement in decision-making

For Funders

Invest in resident-led initiatives
Support environmental justice and monitoring projects
Fund basic infrastructure and service development
Prioritize initiatives addressing historical disinvestment

Key Contacts & Resources

Neighborhood Organizations

Desire Neighborhood Association
Desire/Florida Community Development Corporation
Desire Cultural Preservation Society

Environmental & Infrastructure Resources

Environmental Justice Collaborative
Infrastructure Equity Campaign
Green Infrastructure Assistance

Housing & Community Development Resources

Desire Community Land Trust
Home Repair Assistance Program
Community Resource Center

This community profile was developed through interviews with Desire/Florida residents, community leaders, and advocates. It reflects conditions as of April 2025 and will be updated regularly as new challenges and solutions emerge.

About This Series: This profile is part of TheNolaFiles.com's "Neighborhood Resilience Series," examining how different New Orleans communities are adapting to environmental, economic, and social challenges. Other profiles feature Gentilly, the Lower Ninth Ward, Tremé, Central City, the 7th Ward, Bywater, Hollygrove, Lakeview, Broadmoor, Algiers, Mid-City, the Irish Channel and Garden District, New Orleans East, Arabi, Chalmette, Uptown, the Marigny, the French Quarter, Gert Town, the Warehouse and Arts District, Leonidas/Pigeon Town, Bayou St. John, Fairgrounds/7th Ward, St. Roch, St. Claude, Plum Orchard, Pontchartrain Park, City Park, Fontainebleau/Audubon, and additional neighborhoods, each facing similar challenges but developing unique solutions based on local context and community assets.

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