Musicians' Village New Orleans Offers Area Performers a New Home

The damage caused by the hurricanes of 2005, including Katrina and Rita, was life-changing for most of the residents of New Orleans. Area musicians lost not only their homes and personal possessions but also their "children" - the records of their compositions and even their master recordings. With most of the clubs and other performance venues closed or destroyed, many had no choice but to leave the area. Now the efforts of many volunteers, including several celebrities, are giving some a chance to return.

The Musicians Village is a cluster of 70 single-family homes being built in the city's Upper Ninth Ward, an area that sustained less damage in the storms and has been deemed safer. It was first conceived by musicians Branford Marsalis and Harry Connick Jr., both of whom are natives of New Orleans. The original funding came from two concerts held in New York City in September 2005 titled "From the Big Apple to the Big Easy." Building was begun around January of 2006; the first residents moved into their homes in May 2007.

Each home was funded by a corporate or private donation of $75,000. Building was done by volunteers for Habitat for Humanity, a nonprofit ecumenical Christian organization that partners with others to construct homes for the needy. As part of a 350-hour requirement most of the new residents participated in the building of their homes. But they had help from volunteers from across the United States, including college students (especially music students) and faith-based groups. Work required to conform to a particular building code, like electrical wiring or plumbing, was done by professionals in those fields.

The homes sit in rows on newly-landscaped streets. The ones in the photos have full-length front porches and raised floors (most are on concrete "stilts"). But they don't look exactly alike, because they're painted in different bright colors.

Even though they were constructed through volunteer efforts, the Musicians Village homes aren't available to just anyone. There's a minimum income requirement of $18,620 a year, and the applicant must have good credit (or no credit history at all). These homes aren't rented, which according to Marsalis is a first for many musicians. Instead, they're purchased, with no-interest loans. Mortgage payments go to fund other Habitat for Humanity homes.

The musicians who've moved back admit that living in New Orleans can still be risky, but they think it's worth it. For some it's home, and for all it's a chance to form a community with others who share their passion for music. The new Ellis Marsalis Music Center, named after Branford's father, will help with that by offering a place to socialize, practice - and perform.

Harry Connick Jr. has said that music is the "heart and soul" of New Orleans. There's no doubt that it's been an important part of the city's culture for a long time. The Musicians Village insures that it always will be.