20 Years After Katrina: Rebuilding New Orleans, One Home at a Time

Two decades after Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans, many neighborhoods remain marked by the storm’s destruction — empty lots where homes once stood, streets overtaken by weeds, and memories of the flood that drowned 80% of the city.

But Tulane University’s URBANbuild program has turned that loss into a living classroom. Founded in Katrina’s aftermath, the program tasks architecture students each academic year with designing and constructing affordable, full-scale homes for the city’s hardest-hit communities.

Students like Georgia Clark describe the hands-on process as “a shock” — transforming an empty plot of dirt into a home within sixteen weeks.

Director Byron Mouton says locals appreciate that the project isn’t driven by profit, but by education and empathy.

Since its inception, URBANbuild has completed 20 homes, blending modern design with New Orleans’ traditional architecture.

For homeowners like chef Rob Eddington, what began as a house has become a true home.

As the 20th anniversary of Katrina passes, the program stands as a symbol of resilience, rebuilding not only structures but also community spirit and hope.