DANIEL TYLER GOODEN / L’Observateur / June 6, 2000

ST. JAMES – Two years in the making, the remodeling of St. James HousingAuthority developments are taking shape. In the west bank WelcomeDevelopment, 18 homes are in the midst of their first renovation since they were built in the 1960’s. Faded pink paint and inadequate utilities are scrapedaway to make room for modern conveniences and styles.

Gathering the funding, designing and preparing for the project has taken two years, and it’s paying off, said R.M. Jackson, director of the St. JamesHousing Authority. With a few finished, “people are already asking to movein,” she added.

Major improvements have been made to the low-income housing. STATWastewater Treatment has a contract to update the sewer plants at five sites, including the Welcome Development. New paint, linoleum and trimminggives a face lift to the appearance.

Huskey Builders of Independence has updated the electrical, plumbing and utilities systems. Washer and dryer hookups have been added as well ascentral air-conditioning and furnace services. Showers with new waterheaters have been also installed. These are apartments that anyone wouldwant to have, said Jackson.

The restoration has begun specifically on the west bank due to greater applications and requests for housing. The newly renovated houses will beoccupied by both people who are currently employed and those on current waiting lists.

The 18 restored two- and three-bedroom apartments at the Welcome Development will complete Phase I of the renovation project. Then theproject will shift toward rebuilding two units in the Vacherie Development before returning to continue in the Welcome Development.

Contractors working at the developments can accept applications, under federal regulations from the residents, just as if it were a full-time job. Thecontractors are required to treat the workers like permanent employees in order to create more self-sufficient individuals.

Since the employment is sporadic residents are not required to list the pay as part of their yearly income, said Jackson. Residents are required to payapproximately 30 percent of their yearly income as rent.

Also being renovated is the community center at the Welcome Development.

It also is receiving new paint, replacement windows and utility appliances. Yetagain stepping up to assist their parish, 11 volunteers from both IMC- Agrico’s Faustina and Uncle Sam plants gathered June 2 to help with the work. The renovated community center is planned to be complete for themonthly Housing Authority Board meeting June 8.

Also included in the updating of the community center is space made available for the St. James Sheriff’s Department. Along with Brooks Apartments in Lutcher, the Welcome Development will again have an increased presence of the sheriff’s deputies. “We want themto be seen a little more,” said Jackson. The sheriff’s office has signed a oneyear contract, with a one year extension to dedicate manpower to the developments.

The offices set aside for the deputies will be used as a staging area for community policing as well as different projects and programs. It will be aplace where the deputies can do their paperwork, reports, set up meetings requested by members of the community or conduct investigations, said Sheriff Willy Martin Jr.

A similar project was enacted in 1993-94 when Martin first came to office.

“Right off we had a 40 percent reduction in complaints,” said Martin.

Since the program has not been in effect for a few years, Martin hopes it will have the same effect as when first established.

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