Since the 1930s, the IHNC has been an integral part of the development of the southeastern edge of Orleans Parish. The role the lock complex has played in market valuation of one to four family housing located near the facility has been a matter of conjecture for the past 30 years.

Professor Wade Ragas of the University of New Orleans' Real Estate Market Data Center conducted a study to address this matter. The study examines the geographic pattern of single-family property values in Orleans Parish within close physical proximity to the lock complex from 1970 to 1997.