The Episcopal Diocese of Louisiana Announces “Jericho Road” First of Its Kind Housing Initiative
Targeting New Orleans Central City Neighborhood

A Partnership of the Diocese of Louisiana & Episcopal Relief and Development (ERD) 

New Orleans, Louisiana – Today, The Right Reverend Charles Jenkins, Bishop of Louisiana announced  the Jericho Road Episcopal Housing Initiative (JREHI), 
a first of its kind Episcopal Diocese of Louisiana  housing plan targeting New Orleans’ Central City neighborhood. 

JREHI is a faith based non-profit organization formed in response to the destruction caused by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita. According to Charles Jenkins, 
the Chairman of the JREHI Board and Episcopal Bishop of Louisiana, Jericho’s mission is to provide quality affordable housing in pre-existing neighborhoods 
in New Orleans.

Bishop Jenkins said, “Our first goal is to construct 150 homes in the Central City neighborhood of New Orleans.  While doing so we pray that we will be able 
to collaborate with other faith groups in sharing this ministry so important  to the future of New Orleans.”

The JREHI, LLC was formed in March and is a partnership of the Diocese of Louisiana and Episcopal Relief and Development (ERD).  ERD provided the initial 
funding totaling $2.3 million which will be used for administrative management, property acquisition  and construction.  The funding from ERD, combined with 
planned financing from the Whitney Community Development Corporation will result in an investment in Central City of over $20 million. 

According to Vice Chair of the JREHI, The Very Reverend David duPlantier, Dean and Rector Christ Church Cathedral, this is a challenging time in New Orleans 
but it is also an exciting time for opportunity and change in all neighborhoods.

“Jericho Road through its broad and diverse partnerships will transform New Orleans into an American City that will again set the standard for people of diverse 
ethnic, cultural and socio economic backgrounds to live together in mixed and vibrant communities.  One of our City’s most unique characteristics is that for 
hundreds of years people of vastly different backgrounds have lived in close proximity to one another inspiring and influencing culture, religion and family life.  
Jericho Road will continue that vital New Orleans neighborhood tradition,” Dean duPlantier said.

The Jericho Road ‘Pilot Program’, launched this week with the purchase of five empty lots from the Whitney Community Development Corporation, is the first 
step for the Jericho housing initiative. 

The purpose of the pilot program is to implement and then critique all aspects of JREHI including: site selection; client identification and training; availability of 
homeowners insurance, cost of mortgage products and a realistic understanding of the building process post-Katrina.  A variety of housing stock is being 
considered including, modular, steel, cement as well as traditional stick built.  Jericho Road has begun to build neighborhood partnerships near the area of the 
newly acquired properties and throughout the Central City neighborhood.

The JREHI Governing Board consists of a Board of Directors, Members at Large and a Non Voting Membership. 

Board of Directors: The Right Reverend Charles Jenkins, Bishop of Louisiana, Chair;

The Very Reverend David Allard duPlantier, Dean and Rector Christ Church Cathedral, Vice Chair;

Chris Beary, Esq., Senior Warden, Christ Church Cathedral, Treasurer. 

Members at Large: Ellen Ball, Lay Representative, Trinity Episcopal Church;

The Reverend Susan Gaumer, Rector, St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church; Julie George, Esq., Lay Representative, Trinity Episcopal Church;

The Reverend Dr. Patrick Keen, Pastor, Bethlehem Lutheran Church; Mr. Ronald Markham, CEO, the New Orleans Jazz Orchestra;

Superintendent John E. Pierre, Pastor, Living Witness Church; The Reverend Dabney Smith, Rector, Trinity Episcopal Church. 

Non Voting members: Bradford Powers, Esq., Executive Director and Recording Secretary; Elizabeth Brady, Director of Public