PLAQUEMINE, La. (WAFB) - What might seem like just another empty lot in the City of Plaquemine is actually the newest site for an affordable housing development.New Horizons Community Development Corporation is breaking ground on its third set of duplexes for low to moderate income families in an area Executive Director Linda Johnson is very familiar with.“I grew up back here, so to see us doing something in the area that I grew up in, I just can’t explain how valuable it is for me,” said Johnson.She sa...
PLAQUEMINE, La. (WAFB) - What might seem like just another empty lot in the City of Plaquemine is actually the newest site for an affordable housing development.
New Horizons Community Development Corporation is breaking ground on its third set of duplexes for low to moderate income families in an area Executive Director Linda Johnson is very familiar with.
“I grew up back here, so to see us doing something in the area that I grew up in, I just can’t explain how valuable it is for me,” said Johnson.
She said the new homes will be just as valuable for the people moving in, too. In an area she said is impossible to rent a three-bedroom home for less than $2,000 a month, Johnson is proud to offer these brand-new duplexes for $821. It’s an asset she believes will have a ripple effect on the rest of the neighborhood.
“One of the things we know is that once you build housing and people take care of it after you train them to take care of the housing, the whole neighborhood starts to do the same,” explained Johnson.
She knows this is true because of the other properties they’ve built and rented out a few blocks over. In 2021, New Horizons CDC poured $2.6 million into four duplexes off Iron Farm Road. Projects City Councilwoman Natasha Johnson said the developments are much needed for this side of town.
“Access to safe and affordable housing is essential to the health and strength of any community,” explained Johnson. “New Horizons is helping build stronger, safer neighborhoods right here in District 6.”
Johnson is expecting to get the new development built on the corner of Annex Street and Fleniken Lane. Once those are built, her sights are set on putting an affordable apartment complex right behind it on Allen Street and Fleniken Lane. However, Johnson thinks more still needs to be done.
“What we’re doing is just a drop in the bucket,” admitted Johnson. “We still need new, improved housing stock that low-and moderate-income people can afford.”
She believes renovating adjudicated properties could be the solution. Until then, Johnson is ready to build these new homes from the ground up.
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