Housing developments in Evangeline Parish to receive funding

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Two housing developments in Evangeline Parish received funding from the Louisiana Housing Commission. The work to be done consists of building a new apartment complex in Ville Platte and renovating an existing apartment complex in Mamou.
The development that will be called Heatherwood Apartments, according to Councilman Mike Perron, will be on Tate Cove Road near the intersection of Tom Drive and will be elderly and low income apartments
Councilman Perron, who represents that district, voiced his support for the project. Also voicing support was Councilman Bryant Riggs who is a proponent for such housing developments in the city.
“This project fits into our narrative of what we’re trying to do by taking a strong stance on abandoned houses,” said Councilman Riggs. “It’s going to take people out of those unfit homes and get them into a new development with a brighter future.”
He continued, “It’s also going to help enlighten the town as far as beautifying, and it’s going to be affordable for the elderly and low income. It’s badly needed.”
Mayor Jennifer Vidrine reported the development will consist of 48 one and two bedroom apartments that will be “safe, secure, and roomy.” She added construction is slated to begin in January.
“I do believe we should take care of those who took care of us especially to have them living in a nice, comfortable, safe environment during their elderly years,” said Mayor Vidrine.”
“We’re just glad they selected a site in Ville Platte to do this project.”
In Mamou, the money will go toward renovations at Oakwood Apartments that house elderly and low-income residents.
According to Mayor Ricky Fontenot, the renovations will consist of replacing the air conditioner units, the floors, and the windows. The mayor called it “a big total project.”
The mayor added the biggest part of the renovations involve making the apartments more energy efficient. “That’s something that’s really needed,” he said.
A press release from the Office of Governor John Bel Edwards stated, “Governor John Bel Edwards and the Louisiana Housing Corporation (LHC) announced $12.3 million in housing tax credits and other funds have been awarded for the construction and rehabilitation of 20 affordable housing developments across the state. The credits will be used to maximize the production and preservation of safe, affordable, energy efficient residential housing units in 13 parishes impacted by the historic floods of 2016.”
In the same press release, Governor Edwards said, “Although we are more than two years out from the devastating floods of 2016, many communities still do not have enough affordable housing stock to meet the needs of the people. That is a serious problem, and the tax credits that are being made available will help these parishes move closer toward closing the gap in housing in those areas. I applaud Keith Cunningham and the LHC staff for their work in making this happen.”