Louisiana Housing Corporation's Monthly Newsletter

May 2024

Catch up on all things #TeamLHC, see where we've travelled, projects completed, board meeting recap, public funding announcements, and more.

LHC's mission is to ensure that every Louisiana resident is granted an opportunity to obtain safe, affordable, energy-efficient housing. We administer federal and state funds through programs designed to advance the development of energy-efficient and affordable housing for working families, drive housing policy for Louisiana, and oversee the state's Disaster Housing Task Force.

Each day, this ongoing challenge to produce more safe, affordable, and energy-efficient housing is met by a dedicated staff of professionals who help families make their housing dreams a reality.

To access information about a topic highlighted in the newsletter, simply click on the graphic, image, button, or hyperlink.

Corporation Updates

The Louisiana Housing Corporation (LHC) received $502,990 in federal funding from the Biden-Harris Administration to continue its housing counseling services to help underserved communities and bridge the racial homeownership gap.

The Biden-Harris administration recognized the crucial role housing counseling agencies have in expanding homeownership in the U.S. As part of this initiative, LHC received a portion of the nearly $40M, ensuring the continuation of its vital homebuyer counseling services and that of other agencies across the state.

Homebuyer Counseling provides education on household budgets, saving for a down payment and other expenses for necessary homeownership preparation, and an understanding of low-interest loans. LHC and other agencies offer these courses multiple times a month, some are in-person or virtual. To sign up for one of LHC's courses, please look under LHC's events page.

In preparation for hurricane season, #TeamLHC partnered with the Louisiana State Fire Marshal's Office to discuss hurricane safety and preparation around your home. One important topic is generator safety. Together, the two agencies created this video on how to properly use a portable home standby generator.

May is nationally known as Affordable Housing Month. #TeamLHC recognized Affordable Housing Month, considering the corporation is a proponent of affordable housing because it uplifts communities and enhances economic development. Take a look at what we have done regarding affordable housing. These accomplishments are wonderful, but more affordable housing options are needed across our state.

Project Highlights

THE RESERVE AT POWER PLACE

$13,783,518 of Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds, $21 million in Multifamily Housing Revenue Bonds, and $1.7 million in Low Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC).

MORNINGSIDE AT GERSTNER PLACE

$16,187,521 of CDBG, $2,750,000 through the Emergency Rental Assistance Program, and $1,643,000 through LIHTC.

This month, #TeamLHC goes to Denham Springs to recognize the importance and needs of elderly affordable housing. Watch this video to learn about all of the amenities at Morningside at Juban Lakes and how it's making a difference for the senior citizens who live there.

Funding Announcements & Public Notices

2023 LIHTC Data Collection

The 2023 Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) Data Collection period, required by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has begun and will end Friday, August 9, 2024. Please review this letter regarding this requirement in its entirety and submit data via HDS NextGen. Access the Data Collection Form referenced in the linked letter by clicking here.

Locate #TeamLHC

Scotlandville

#TeamLHC participated in the Scotlandville Area Foundation Inaugural Housing Summit with Metro Councilmember Chauna Banks. LHC's Executive Director Marjorianna Willman spoke to the crowd about the value of homeownership and how housing plays an economic role in development.

LCADV's Statewide Children Advocacy Conference

#TeamLHC's Louisiana Balance of State Continuum of Care presented at the Statewide Children Advocacy Conference in Baton Rouge. They presented Louisiana's Homeless Service Systems that serve people fleeing from domestic violence.

St. Charles Parish

Alexander also convened with Paula Pete and other NOLA developers to discuss home development in their region.

New Orleans

Duggan led a Certified Education Class in New Orleans hosted by Fidelity Bank. Duggan focused on LHC's mission and our housing programs for Louisiana.

Alexandria

Another Certified Education Class took place in Alexandria with Red Riverbank at the CENLA Board of Realtors. Duggan met with folks to talk more about down payment assistance programs at LHC.

NSPIRE Certification Training

Two days of NSPIRE Certification Training happened at LHC Headquarters. This program includes information on building efficient, resilient, and safe homes while meeting HUD inspection standards.

Metairie

The New Orleans Metropolitan Association of Realtors hosted a panel of esteemed guests to present a plethora of information on affordable housing options for Louisiana. Homeownership Marketing Representative Dexter Alexander attended this panel alongside many passionate realtors.

Baton Rouge

Closing out the month, Alexander met with a couple of realtors holding a workshop to focus on LHC's Down Payment Assistance Programs.

Native American Heritage Day at the Louisiana State Capitol

LHC Homeownership Marketing Supervisor Daniel Duggan participated in Native American Heritage Day at the Capitol to discuss housing opportunities.

LHC Board Of Directors Meeting Recap

LHC Board of Directors Swear In Board Appointments

Wendy Gentry & Kristen C. O'Keffe

Budget & Finance Committee Matters

The Board of Directors discussed the draft of LHC's operating budget for the 2025 Fiscal Year (July 1, 2024-June 30, 2025).

Action Items

Approved the issuance of not exceeding $125M of Single Family Mortgage Revenue Bonds.
Approved to recognize June 2024 as Homeownership Month
Received an update regarding the state and federal legislative matters.

Employee Appreciation

#TeamLHC hits it out of the park with employee appreciation week! Without our staff, we wouldn't be able to help Louisiana citizens have the opportunity to obtain, safe, affordable, and energy-efficient. Here's to the team that always keeps on giving. The true MVPs!