In its latest move to expand housing in St. Charles Parish, Family Resources of New Orleans is asking the parish government for help with building a road in Killona.
Paula Pete, director of housing with the nonprofit organization, said the previous parish administration committed $200,000, but she wanted to meet with the new administration to affirm the commitment.
In a recent meeting with Parish President Larry Cochran, she said he requested information to assess project need and cost.
Family Resources is asking the parish to build a road leading directly into Casa de’Killona Subdivision in Killona. The access that leads to a cul de sac would make it possible to aid the development of another 18 lots, bringing to 20 total in the 3.3-acre development that was started in 2011.
Pete said they’ve already done two houses on Post Street there.
“Ninety percent of the population lives in trailers,” Pete said. “You need to live in safer units with hurricanes. I’ve never seen blighted trailers like I’ve seen there, and I told myself we have to do something for these people.”The 19-year-old community housing development nonprofit organization works in partnership with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development to provide affordable housing.
“Your government [USDA] has a mortgage company, giving 1 percent interest loands and helping working poor and middle-income families,” she said.
Qualifying applicants are assisted with getting loans to build their houses, which includes them helping with interior work such as painting.
The organization has built 75 houses in St. Charles Parish in the last years in areas including Ama, Destrehan, Luling, Hahnville and Boutte. It has an office in Boutte.
“We’re just grateful to be able to do this, Pete said. “Everybody is appreciative of their house.”
Pete said the group first came to the parish on invitation from the Killona Civic Association. The lowest house note in the parish is $206 a month with homeowners insurance. Founded in 1997, the organization works in collaboration with urban, rural, public and private-partners to increase affordable home ownership opportunities among low-income families in the parishes of St. John, St. Charles, Jefferson, Plaquemines, St. Bernard, New Orleans and St. Tammany.
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