The City of Lake Charles is located in southwest Louisiana and serves as the Calcasieu Parish seat of government. According to the 1990 census, the population is 70,580, although recent growth is quite evident due to the increase in job opportunities created by petro-chemical plant expansion and the gaming industry. The overall purpose of the City's Consolidated Plan is to encourage the networking of government, nonprofits, social service providers, citizens, and other public and private parties to provide for a viable community through the provision of decent affordable housing, the provision of a suitable living environment, and the expansion of economic opportunities principally benefitting low and moderate income persons.
The City's 1995 CDBG allocation is $1,383,000.00 plus a projected $17,000.00 from program income. These funds will be used primarily for infrastructure activities (Katherine Street paving and underground drainage[$650,000.00] and Jake Street paving and underground drainage [$620,000.00]). The HOME Program 1995 allocation of $490,000.00 will be used for single family, owner-occupied homeowner rehabilitation
Participation in all phases of the City's federally-funded programs is
encouraged by utilizing public meetings, newspaper advertisements, telephone and
other media tools, and attendance at regularly scheduled meetings for these
initiatives by staff. Community service providers, nonprofits, governmental
agencies, citizens, and other interested parties are contacted to participate
and submit their comments.
According to 1990 census data, the population of Lake Charles is 70,580. However, there has been a recent influx of persons to the area due to the upswing in the economy and job market. Approximately 58% of the population is white and approximately 42% of the population is black. Of the 26,790 households in the City, 32% are in the very low income group; 16% in the other low income group; and 7% in the moderate income category. Of the 10,795 renter households, 32.6% are in the 0-30% income bracket. Minority renters, totalling 4,860, have 46.3% of the households in the 0-30% income bracket. There are 15,995 owner households in the City of which 10.2% are in the 0-30% income bracket. Minority owners total 5,228 with 18.9% households in the 0-30% income bracket.
In both the renter and owner categories, the cost burden of greater than 30%
of gross income showed a great need. Likewise, in the owner category-physical
defects, the number reflected a greater need for some type of assistance.
Further, 44.1% of all renter households experience housing problems while 54.5%
of all minority-headed households in the renter category have housing problems.
This indicates that a disproportionately greater need exists in the minority
renter category with housing problems than the category as a whole. The
minority population is predominantly concentrated in census tracts 1, 2, 3, 4,
5, 6, 14, 15, and 16, and the City's housing initiatives are targeted to these
same areas. Census tracts 1, 2, 3, 4, 8, 14, and 15 reflect 51% and over of
their respective populations meeting the low and moderate income definition.
The City of Lake Charles is currently experiencing increased economic growth primarily due to the gaming industry and local petro-chemical plant expansions. Consequently, employment and related activities are on the rise after almost a decade of steady decline. The City is presently undertaking annexation activities, but aging infrastructure facilities will hamper a more aggressive campaign. Overall, conditions are very favorable for continued growth in all areas.
With the increased employment opportunities, the influx of persons seeking jobs has increased the demand for housing. Housing prices and rents have increased as the demand for housing has increased, and now the supply of affordable and low-income housing has diminished. Affordable housing is a major concern and priority issue across all income and situation levels of the community.
Housing prices and rents are increasing as demand increases. There is a shortage of affordable homes and rental units. There are few vacancies in apartment complexes.
Due to the increased demand for housing and the subsequent increase in housing prices and rents, the supply of affordable and low-income housing has diminished. According to local real estate professionals, many units now affordable to low and moderate income families will soon no longer meet the definition of affordable housing. This shortage of affordable housing is a major concern for special needs groups such as the disabled, battered women, HIV-infected persons, and recovering chemical dependent persons.
Due to the current housing market conditions, the homeless and other special needs groups will be even more frustrated in their efforts to find decent and affordable housing in the community. Although most of these groups actively pursue housing assistance type programs, there is still a need for rental and permanent type housing. Current information shows that all regions of the State of Louisiana are experiencing a growth in the number of homeless. In Lake Charles, there were 173 homeless families and 555 persons in homeless families counted with 699 youths under age 17 according to the latest count taken. The total number of unsheltered homeless for this same period numbered 330. Most were helped through emergency shelters in the area, but there is an even greater need for transitional housing and permanent housing assistance to help these people. Immediate shelter, permanent housing, and transitional housing are the most important unmet needs for service providers in this area. The total capacity for all of the organizations that provide homeless shelter in the City averages 60 beds at any one given time.
The physical condition of the 835 public housing units within the City limits is good. There is a shortage of public housing low income units as evidenced by the 1400 persons who have applications on file for low income or Section 8 assisted housing. Due to the market condition, it is felt that as rents continue to rise rental assistance programs such as the Section 8 Program may be impacted. Further, if an increase in fair market rents is not forthcoming for the City, problems in keeping property owners to stay with the program will result. At present, emergency shelters are basically the only programs within the City that provide shelter to the homeless. Again, there is a need for transitional housing, permanent housing assistance, and immediate shelter for the special needs groups. There are several nonprofits, social service organizations, and governmental agencies that provide some type of supportive housing assistance in the City.
The City has assessed local zoning regulations, building codes, and land use policies and has determined that there are no appreciable impediments to affordable housing. The ad valorem tax structure of the City is one of the lowest in the country. The conclusion is there are no impediments to affordable housing in the community that can be addressed by modification to local codes and ordinances or tax structure. However, further research has indicated that, in general, the cost for construction in the area appears to be above the average cost for the South. This can be attributed to a substantial upturn in the economy, the demand for upscale housing, and an increased demand for construction workers for industrial projects.
The City of Lake Charles has certified to affirmatively further fair housing and is in the process of conducting an analysis to identify impediments to fair housing choice within the City. The certification also maintains that the City will take appropriate actions to overcome the effects of any impediments found through the analysis and that the City will maintain the analysis records and the records of any actions taken because of that process.
It is estimated that 90% (1887) of the 2,097 pre-1940 housing units contain lead-based paint; 80% (8,820) of the 11,025 housing units built between 1940 and 1959 contain lead-based paint; and 62% (6,390) of the 10,307 housing units built between 1960 and 1979 are likely to contain lead-based paint, or 58% of the total housing units in the City are likely to contain lead-based paint. The City will inspect each unit receiving assistance through the CDBG and HOME Programs for lead-based paint hazards. When lead-based paint is found in these units, a lead-based paint risk assessment will be performed, and a hazard reduction plan for the unit will be developed for inclusion in the work to be performed on the premises. All actions taken to inspect or reduce the hazards of lead-based paint will be in accordance with regulations promulgated by the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality.
None are applicable.
High priority community development needs include neighborhood facilities; infrastructure improvements, especially water, street, sidewalk, and sewer improvements; substance abuse services, employment training, and crime awareness in the public service needs category; commercial-industrial rehabilitation, commercial-industrial infrastructure, and other commercial- industrial improvements in the economic development needs category; and planning activities. The continuation of infrastructure improvements, particularly reconstruction of streets and drainage, is a high priority for the targeting of CDBG funds and City funds to areas of low income and minority concentration within the City. Some 37 streets or street segments, with the inclusion of some sidewalks, are projected to be reconstructed or paved over the next five years. The anticipated level of funding for these types of projects is $3,000,000.00 per year with approximately $1,000,000.00 per year of this total coming from CDBG funds.
The City will continue networking with all service providers and other
governmental entities in the City and surrounding area to determine the needs
and resources available to meet the needs of its citizens. Economic development
opportunities will continue to be analyzed and pursued so that more employment
can be realized. Improved communication with the Housing Authority will be
emphasized, and the City will continue its participating with the local lending
institutions in finding solutions to financing housing and related activities
for the underserved and financially disabled in the City. Public input will be
even more encouraged, and special outreach programs such as homebuying education
and small and minority business encouragement will be continued and expanded.
The networking of organizations and the sharing of information and resources
will also be continued and expanded.
Similar to the Community Development Block Grant Program's primary objective, the City hopes to develop a viable urban community by providing decent housing and a suitable living environment for its citizens and to expand economic opportunities principally for persons of low and moderate income. The City is committed to providing affordable housing to its citizens and will continue to explore additional avenues for funding and support of affordable housing activities. There is a high priority need for transitional housing and supportive housing for the special needs and homeless populations, and efforts will be made to continue and expand the City's networking with service providers to provide for these needs. Infrastructure improvements such as streets and drainage, especially in low-income areas, will be continued and expanded as funding allows.
Again, the City will continue its housing and infrastructure programs to provide a better living environment for its citizens. The networking with various community organizations, governmental entities, and local lending institutions will continue and be expanded as well. For example, most of the 1995 Community Development Block Grant funds are programmed for two paving and drainage projects, totaling $1,270,000.00; and 1995 HOME funds ($367,500.00) are programmed for the continuation of the City's Homeowner Rehabilitation Program.
The City's housing priorities deal with those housing situations showing the most need. They include small family households; the elderly very low income households; housing rehabilitation for low income households experiencing a substantial cost burden; affordable housing for low and moderate income households; and transitional and supportive housing for the special needs and homeless populations. Non-housing priorities deal primarily with the continuation of infrastructure improvements; parks and/or recreation facilities; public service needs, especially substance abuse services, employment training, and crime awareness; economic development needs, especially commercial-industrial rehabilitation and infrastructure and other related improvements; and planning activities.
See previous discussion.
See previous discussion.
The City will continue to work with state agencies, local businesses, service agencies, and nonprofit providers to alleviate poverty.
The City receives direct funding allocations from the Federal Government through the Community Development Block Grant Program and the HOME Program. Other organizations and nonprofits also apply for and receive various types of federal funds for housing and other activities, and the City supports their efforts. Examples of other types of funding include the Section 8 Voucher and Certificate Program; Louisiana Emergency Shelter Grants; HOPWA; Section 811. Because of the scarcity of any type of funding, the City has been working with various organizations to try to develop programs that would increase the leveraging capacity of federal funding mechanisms.
The City has developed liaisons with local lending institutions, service
providers, housing and other public agencies to facilitate the development of
strategies for providing affordable housing, for addressing homelessness, and
for meeting housing and other non-housing needs and priorities. Some of the
entities involved include the Lake Charles Housing Authority, Southwest
Louisiana Homeless Coalition, Community Housing Resource Board, State of
Louisiana, and other local service providers.
As funded through the 1995 Community Development Block Grant Program, the City intends to undertake two infrastructure projects in low income targeted areas of the City, namely, the paving and underground drainage on Katherine Street from Prater Street to Booker Street and See Street from Prater to Junior Street; and the paving and underground drainage of Jake Street from Cessford Street to Opelousas Street and Cessford Street from Booker Street to Lincoln Street. Through its 1995 funded HOME Program, the City will continue its single- family, homeowner rehabilitation program.
The locations for the Community Development Block Grant Program are described above. The HOME project locations are not site-specific at the time of federal funding but are determined by certain criteria during the program year. All project locations for both programs are located in Calcasieu Parish within the city limits of Lake Charles, Louisiana.
The lead agency for all above discussed projects is the City of Lake Charles.
The City plans to rehabilitate approximately 20 homes for low income owner occupants. The City will continue to support housing initiatives designed to reach special needs populations.
MAP 2 depicts points of interest and low-moderate income areas.
MAP 3 depicts points of interest, low-moderate income areas, and minority concentration levels.
MAP 4 depicts points of interest, low-moderate income areas, and unemployment levels.
TABLE (without associated map) provides information about the project(s).
