By Monique Roth
L’Observateur

LAPLACE — Application intake for four Community Development Block Grant Housing Programs designed to assist the needs of low-to-moderate income residents and those who sustained property damage during Hurricane Isaac began this week in St. John the Baptist Parish.

St. John Parish, in coordination with Providence Technical Services LLC, began accepting applications for the CDBG Housing Programs Monday. The specific grant-funded housing programs available to parish residents are Homeowner Rehabilitation, Homebuyer Assistance, Housing Elevation and Small Rental Rehabilitation. 

“Implementation of these housing programs is critical to fulfill the recovery in St. John the Baptist Parish,” Parish President Natalie Robottom said.

“We are excited that funding will be available to our residents to assist in restoring their homes and their lives.”

Residents interested in applying for one of the four programs can pick up an application at the Percy Hebert Building, located at 1801 W. Airline Highway LaPlace or the West Bank Courthouse, located at 2393 River Road in Edgard. Applications are also available to view and can be submitted online anytime at sjbparish.com.

Parish Communication Director Paige Falgoust said applications will be accepted for a minimum of two weeks based on applicant’s last names at the St. John Community Center in LaPlace and the West Bank Community Center in Edgard.  

At the St. John Community Center, located at 2900 Highway 51 in LaPlace, applications of residents whose last names beginning with A-G will be accepted Monday, last names beginning with H-N will be accepted Tuesday, last names beginning with O-U will be accepted Wednesday, last names beginning with V-Z will be accepted Thursday and applications from everyone will be accepted Friday.

At the West Bank Community Center, located at 173 E. Third St. in Edgard, applications of residents whose last names beginning with A-M will be accepted Monday, last names beginning with N-Z will be accepted Tuesday and applications from everyone will be accepted Wednesday.

Hours of operation for both sites are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Falgoust said applications will be accepted based on last name to help with traffic flow. She said the last name schedule will apply until at least Nov. 7.

“After two weeks, the schedule will either continue or be altered based on how the system is working,” Falgoust said.

The CDBG Housing Programs are being funded through the $32 million Department of Housing and Urban Development CDBG Disaster Recovery Program and the State of Louisiana Office of Community Development/Disaster Recovery Unit to provide funding to housing programs, economic development and infrastructure.  

For more information on the programs and/or a list of qualifications/requirements visit sjbparish.com and click on the homepage link titled “CDBG Housing Program” or call 985-359-0555.