Catholic Charities Archdiocese of New Orleans provides transitional housing and direct financial assistance

The Catholic Charities Archdiocese of New Orleans has been in existence in one form or another since 1727, when Ursuline nuns first arrived in Louisiana and began caring for local citizens.  Three centuries later their legacy continues through the existing organization, which took its current form in 1938.

Before Hurricane Katrina, the CCANO was operating around 30 programs addressing pressing social issues like poverty, hunger, domestic violence etc.  Since the disaster their services have expanded to around 45 programs, with two affiliated ministries; some of which are directly related to post-Katrina recovery.  The group employs more than 700 staff and hundreds of thousands of Louisiana residents use its services each year.  The group serves the civil parishes of Orleans, Jefferson, St. Bernard, Washington, St. Tammany, St. John the Baptist, St. Charles and Plaquemines.

The wide range of areas covered by CCANO’s programs includes support for senior citizens, formerly incarcerated persons, children and families, pro-life family advice and adoption services,  food and nutrition guidance for families and senior citizens, hurricane relief and rebuilding programs, etc.  Among these programs are several which address housing and homelessness.  These are:

  • Baronne Street Transitional Housing: This is an eighteen to twenty-four month shelter, providing advocacy, referrals and counselling to intact or single-parent families.
  • Beyond Shelter & Bridges to Self Sufficiency: Transitional housing for homeless women and children – counselling, advocacy, educational programs, case management and referrals.
  • Crisis and Residential Emergency (CARE) Centers: CARE provides direct assistance, case management, counselling, advocacy and referrals to those in need of shelter; CCANO operate two separate shelters under this scheme, one in Orleans Parish and one in Jefferson Parish.  The Jefferson Paris shelter is a temporary 24-hour emergency shelter.
  • Ciara Community Services: Services for clients with severe mental illness who are in need of housing assistance.
  • Operation Helping Hands: This program, part of the CCANO’s wider range of Katrina-related activities, organizes volunteers into work parties for assisting in the repair, rebuilding and repainting of homes damaged by Hurricane Katrina. Focusing particularly on homes of the elderly and disabled, this program is currently being phased out and no longer accepts new volunteer groups.
  • Voyage House: A residential shelter for older women who have experienced substance abuse or who may have mental health issues. The program also offers independent permanent housing in the community to eligible women.

To see if you are eligible for direct financial assistance or to be considered for a vacancy in one of their transitional homes, call 504-523-3755.