Historically, NHS has focused its real estate development work by developing affordable single-family homes for first-time homebuyers in the uptown neighborhoods of Milan, Freret and the Holy Ghost neighborhood in Central City. Since Hurricane Katrina, NHS has added the Seventh Ward in downtown New Orleans as a target neighborhood. In 2006 NHS purchased a corner store and vacant lot and developed the Seventh Ward Neighborhood Center. NHS has acquired 40 other properties in the area to be developed as single-family homes for first-time homebuyers. Concentrating our real estate development activities in target areas leads to greater neighborhood impact.

In addition to new construction, whenever possible, NHS renovates and sells previously blighted historic New Orleans homes.

Typically, NHS homes are developed to be affordable to first time homebuyers with incomes below 80% of the area's median income. For a family of four in New Orleans, that falls below $48,000. Prior to development, NHS consults with the community to assess needs and aspirations, which informs the planning of a housing development strategy.