New Orleans Holds 1-Star Welcoming Status

Residents of New Orleans can continue to rely on a municipal framework designed to broaden access to city services, though the city retains only the entry-level tier of its current certification. The Office of Human Rights and Equity (OHRE) operates under the Certified Welcoming program, which assigns star ratings based on specific policy and service benchmarks. New Orleans currently holds the 1-Star designation, the lowest of the available levels, indicating that while foundational work is in place, higher levels of inclusion remain unmet.

The city first entered the program in 2022 following a recommendation from the local nonprofit Home is Here. That same year, OHRE conducted a self-assessment and submitted evidence from various city departments to the national body Welcoming America. The organization’s Certified Welcoming Team then audited the city and published a report. Based on that audit, New Orleans earned its 1-Star status in 2023. This rating serves as a baseline for the city’s ongoing efforts to ensure equity in economic, social, and civic participation for all residents.

To move beyond the initial rating, OHRE focused on strategic planning in the years following the audit. In 2024, the office hosted outreach sessions with local organizations and city departments to identify gaps in access and language justice. These meetings aimed to create a roadmap for improving civic engagement and economic inclusion. The result of this collaborative process was the publication of the "Certified Welcoming: Striving for Excellence" Strategic Plan in 2025. The document outlines actionable goals for the city to address the specific areas identified in the 2022 audit.

The city has pledged to use this plan to maintain and potentially elevate its standing within the national program. City officials stated that they will continue collaborating with community partners to strengthen programs that support language access and civic participation. The commitment involves a review of existing policies to ensure they align with the values of equity and access defined by the Welcoming Standard. The goal is to demonstrate through administrative action that inclusion is a functional requirement of city operations rather than just a stated value.

The next steps for the city are tied to the implementation of the 2025 strategic plan. OHRE is tasked with monitoring progress against the goals set in the "Striving for Excellence" document. The city aims to uphold its legacy as a diverse community by ensuring that the contributions of all residents are reflected in resource allocation and service delivery. The maintenance of the Certified Welcoming status depends on the city's ability to show tangible improvements in the areas flagged during the initial 2022 audit.

The timeline for the next formal review or audit has not been detailed in the recent release, but the city has indicated an intent to continue the process. The 1-Star status remains active until a new assessment is conducted. Residents can track the city's progress by looking at the specific programs listed in the 2025 strategic plan, which focus on economic inclusion and civic engagement.