NEW ORLEANS — The Home Builders Association of Greater New Orleans (HBAGNO) marks its 85th anniversary this year, celebrating a legacy of service while accelerating efforts to strengthen housing resiliency, stabilize insurance markets, and support the workforce that drives residential construction across the metro area.
Beginning in 1941, the HBA recognized the need to protect the home building industry across the greater New Orleans area. From the beginning, its mission centered on promoting ethical building practices, supporting local contractors, and strengthening the housing market.
From its earliest years, HBAGNO emphasized ethical standards and professionalism in homebuilding; advocacy for policies that support homeownership; education and training for builders and remodelers; and a commitment to health, safety, and sanitation in residential construction. These founding principles continue to guide the association today.
“For 85 years, HBAGNO has stood at the center of housing policy, industry advancement, and community resilience in Southeast Louisiana,” said Dan Mills, CEO of the Home Builders Association of Greater New Orleans. “As we look to the future, we are expanding our work to ensure that homeowners, builders, and the broader community are better protected, better trained, and better supported than ever before.”
Expanding Resiliency Documentation to Attract Insurance Carriers
HBAGNO is leading a major initiative to expand documentation of resiliency features in existing homes—an effort aimed at attracting more insurance carriers back to Louisiana.
This work is being driven by the Wind Mitigation Task Force, created under the HBAGNO Remodelers Council. The task force successfully advocated for the Louisiana Department of Insurance (LDI) to create and maintain a public database of Wind Mitigation Surveys and Fortified Roof Certificates, which were previously issued only to homeowners.
The new database will also incorporate local roof permit and inspection data, creating a comprehensive, statewide resource that demonstrates the durability of Louisiana’s housing stock. This level of transparency is expected to play a critical role in rebuilding a competitive insurance market.
Innovating Flood Insurance Solutions
In partnership with GNO, Inc., HBAGNO is advancing new strategies to address the steep rise in flood insurance costs under FEMA’s Risk Rating 2.0 and the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).
One concept under active discussion is a national catastrophic backstop program—an approach that would broaden the premium pool for risks such as wind and fire, reduce volatility, and expand access to affordable insurance.
Strengthening the Workforce Through Training and Inclusion
With the residential construction industry facing an aging workforce, HBAGNO is expanding its commitment to workforce development through its subsidiary, the Home Builders Institute (HBI). As the largest contractor for JobCorps training programs, HBI delivers Department of Labor–approved curricula to high schools, community colleges, and prison reentry programs, ensuring a steady pipeline of skilled workers for the region’s construction sector.
HBAGNO has also launched a Latino Council to support the rapidly growing Spanish‑speaking workforce, which now represents approximately 30% of the industry. The council provides Spanish‑language programming, networking, education, and advocacy to better integrate and empower Latino professionals throughout Greater New Orleans.
Streamlining Permitting to Improve Efficiency and Consumer Protection
HBAGNO is collaborating with Jefferson Parish and the City of New Orleans on separate initiatives to evaluate and streamline local permitting processes. These efforts aim to make it easier for builders and homeowners to navigate regulatory requirements while strengthening protections for consumers.
Jefferson Parish has already appointed a dedicated manager to oversee the My Government online system, with a goal of achieving fully digital permitting capabilities by year’s end—improving transparency, efficiency, and user experience.
A Legacy of Service, A Future of Resilience
In addition to the many annual events the association hosts, such as Parade of Homes, Home & Garden Show, StormPrep, Roof-top Tee Off Golf Tournament, Kick-A$$ Cookoff, and Toys for Tots donation drive/breakfast, and more, HBAGNO is planning to close out its 85th year with a celebration gala in December 2026.
Its senior officers, board members, councils and staff remain committed to advancing policies and programs that support safe, resilient, and affordable housing across Southeast Louisiana, while offering education, networking and advocacy opportunities to its nearly 1,000 dues-paying members.
“HBAGNO’s work has never been more important,” said Mills. “Our region’s future depends on a strong housing market, a stable insurance environment, and a skilled, diverse workforce. We are proud to continue leading these efforts for the next generation of homeowners and industry professionals.”
About HBAGNO
Founded in 1941, the Home Builders Association of Greater New Orleans (HBAGNO) provides members with continuing education, events for networking opportunities and advocacy to protect the home building industry. The HBAGNO is a non-profit professional organization serving nearly 1,000 builder and associate members encompassing seven parishes throughout Louisiana, including Jefferson, St. Bernard, St. John the Baptist, St. James, St. Charles, Plaquemines, and Orleans. The Home Builders Association of Greater New Orleans, now in its 85th year, continues to proudly serve as the home of local, licensed residential contractors.