Cost of Living Action Plan
New Orleans is becoming unfordable and families are being pushed out
Why this Matters
From 2019 to 2024, the cost of living in New Orleans surged while household incomes fell. Families are paying more for the basics — or leaving altogether.
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Median rent has increased by 54% since 2019
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Electricity bills up 59% since 2019
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Home insurance up 92% since 2019
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Income has decreased by 80% since 2019
What’s Driving Costs Up
These rising costs aren’t inevitable. They’re the result of policy choices —and they’re areas where public action can make a real difference.
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What’s happening:
Property insurance costs in New Orleans rose far faster than inflation, especially after recent disasters.
Why it hurts residents:
In some neighborhoods, families now spend more than 20% of their income just to stay insured — or drop coverage entirely.
Who controls this:
Insurance policy is set at the state level, but city leaders can organize and lead a statewide strategy to stabilize costs.
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What’s happening:
Automated traffic cameras issue tickets at massive scale without proven safety benefits.
Why it hurts residents:
From 2019–2024, drivers were billed more than $200 million, much of it flowing to private vendors rather than public safety.
Who controls this:
The City Charter and City Council.
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What’s happening:
Household electricity costs have risen while energy programs designed to save money claw back those savings.
Why it hurts residents:
Renters pay higher bills with fewer options to reduce costs.
Who controls this:
The New Orleans City Council, which regulates the local utility.
What We’re Pushing For
These are the commitments city leaders made to address the cost-of-living crisis.
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Stop the Insurance Spiral
Lead a statewide strategy to create affordable, universal homeowners insurance coverage on the first $175,000 of home value.
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Ban the Cameras
End the use of automated traffic cameras in Orleans Parish through a City Charter amendment
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Lower Household Energy Costs
Use the City Council’s regulatory authority to fix energy efficiency programs, and end “ghost charges.”
How Do We Hold Leaders Accountable?
These commitments are tracked publicly and scored in quarterly report cards mailed to 50,000 voters.
Did city leadership advance legislation toward universal basic insurance? [ Yes / No ]
Did they support bringing a Charter amendment to ban traffic cameras? [ Yes / No ]
Did they act to reduce household energy costs using existing authority? [ Yes / No ]
The First 100 Days
Pass a study resolution on the insurance crisis in the 2026 legislature to find:
How many people have dropped insurance,
How much insurance has increased,
Estimate insurance cost to local governments – cities, public schools, parishes, etc.; businesses; health institutions; congregations.
2. Approve a charter amendment banning the use of traffic cameras in Orleans Parish.