Why the Treme is important
The Historic Treme neighborhood, which is adjacent to the more famous French Quarter, has an equally rich history. It is one of the oldest neighborhoods in New Orleans. The Faubourg Treme was originally settled by Free People of Color, many of whom fled the island of San Domingue (now Haiti) during that country's revolution. In 1804, some 2000 new residents moved to New Orleans from that embattled island, their numbers split fairly evenly into white citizens, free black citizens, and slaves. These cultured, aristocratic, and proudly clannish gens de couleur libres formed their own elite society, comprising fine craftsmen, musicians, artists and men of property. Later in the late 1800's, a small section of the Treme became the now famous Storyville and it was here that Jazz was born.
With many long-time residents, Tremé is still an incredibly rich community with deep cultural roots, including the Back Street Cultural Museum and St. Augustine Catholic Church, the country's oldest integrated Roman Catholic church and parish and the home parish of civil rights icons Homer Plessy and A.P. Tureaud and jazz legend Sidney Bechet. The latest census records available indicate that Treme is 98% African-American in its make-up, although it attracts visitors of every race from around the world. The median household income of its residents is approximately only $28,000, and single mothers head a significant number of these households. Its location makes it a critical hub to the French Quarter, the Central Business District, and the Faubourg Marigny neighborhoods. Therefore, its future is of incalculable importance to New Orleans.
The tradition of artistry, pride and achievement persists in the Treme, being the birthplace of Jelly Roll Morton and Louis Armstrong, and the cradle more recently of our world famous brass bands. Often one can run across a traditional jazz funeral complete with horse drawn carriages and a second line.
The Treme/Lafitte Renewal Project gets it start
Two Years after Hurricane Katrina and the subsequent flooding many of the long time residents of the Treme (identified as the area bounded by Rampart, St. Louis, and Broad Streets, and Esplanade Avenue) are unable to return to their homes because their houses are still uninhabitable. The Greater New Orleans Community Data Center (www.gnocdc.org) reports that there were 3,429 occupied housing units in the Treme prior to Hurricane Katrina. Of that number, 21.8% or approximately 750 of those housing units were owner occupied. GNOCDC in collaboration with the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers and the City of New Orleans report that during Hurricane Katrina and the subsequent flooding 52% of the homes in this area received "severe damage" (greater than $30,000 in damage), 17% of the homes received "major damage" (between $5,200 and $30,000 in damage), and 8% of the homes received "minor damage" (less than $5,200 in damage). Many moderate-income and low-income homeowners do not have sufficient insurance proceeds or financial resources to enable them to make the necessary repairs needed to safely re-occupy their homes. The vacant housing creates fire and safety hazards in the neighborhood. Additionally, the prevalence of vacant property creates a prime breeding ground for crime and violence. Together these issues will continue to prevent the resumption of normal life for the citizens that have returned.
How the Nation of Qatar got involved
The goal of stabilizing the historic Treme neighborhood of New Orleans is a large one. With the proper intervention, the Qatar Treme/Lafitte Renewal Project (QTLRP) is confident that it can be accomplished. The Nation of Qatar is also confident about this project and very generously awarded the newly formed Treme/Lafitte Renewal Project $2.5 million, from the Qatar Katrina Fund. The Qatar Katrina Fund was a $100 million gift from the People of Qatar to fund healthcare, education, and housing projects throughout Gulf Coast region. The Qatar Katrina Fund was announced in September 2005 by His Highness Sheikh Hamad Bin Khalifa Al-Thani, Amir of the State of Qatar, under the direction of H.E. Nasser Bin Hamad M. Al-Khalifa, Ambassador of the State of Qatar to the United States. The first disbursement of the QTLRP award was received in November 2006. The gift agreement with Qatar states that the Qatar Treme/Lafitte Renewal Project is to assist the population of qualified resident homeowners from the Treme in their efforts to repair homes damaged during Hurricane Katrina and the subsequent flooding. The QTLRP is using these dollars to assist low income (households with up to 80% of median income) and moderate income (households with up to 115% of median income) resident homeowners in the Treme/Lafitte to make the repairs needed to allow the home to accept utilities, obtain all necessary safety permits, and be safely lived in. This work includes roofing repairs, gutting and sheet rocking, re-flooring, electrical and plumbing work, air-conditioning/heat, and carpentry. It does not include remodeling, redecorating, finish painting, landscaping, or other finish work. Rather, it will bring the house to the point where the owners can return to live in their homes and finish the work themselves with the assistance of the Road Home or some other grant award.
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