The City of Slidell is located in St. Tammany Parish, Louisiana about 20 miles east of New Orleans. Slidell is an entitlement CDBG community but does not receive HOME, HOPWA, or ESG funds on an entitlement basis.
The City of Slidell's Action Plan revolves around three primary goals:
The City of Slidell Planning Department started the Consolidated Planning citizen participation process in January of 1995 with the announcement of public hearings on the Citizens Participation Plan and the Consolidated Plan. A record of citizen comments was kept by the City and reviewed for input into proposed project funding.
The hearings were well attended and there was considerable discussion among attendees. The City posted notices of public hearings throughout the City and in the local newspaper. The City also published a summary of the Citizen Participation Plan and the Consolidated Plan in the local newspaper.
The City mailed survey questionnaires and notices of all public meetings to
medical, social service, government, civic, and neighborhood organizations that
might have been interested in the Consolidated Planning process.
The City of Slidell is located in St. Tammany Parish, about 20 miles east of New Orleans, and is a small city of approximately 25,000 persons. Because of its location as an important crossroads of Interstates 10, 12, and 59, Slidell has developed to be more than a bedroom community of New Orleans.
| CITY OF SLIDELL | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| DEMOGRAPHIC/HOUSING SUMMARY | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Population: | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
24,124
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25,300
|
12.2
|
87.8
|
10.5
|
2.6
|
34.1
|
$34,492
|
$350
|
$13,396
|
10.1
|
80.6
|
6.3
|
9,087
|
75.0
|
25.0
|
4.2
|
9.6
|
74.2
|
12.0
|
$463
|
$67,800
|
$79,000
| | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
In January of 1995, the UNO Real Estate Market Data Center reported in its market analysis of New Orleans and the South Central Gulf that 1994 home prices in eastern St. Tammany Parish (including Slidell) rose by an average of 4.8 percent, though the Parish as a whole saw average home price increases of 7.5 percent during that time period.
Using the Census parameters of "lack of complete plumbing" and "lack of complete kitchen facilities" as a guide to substandard housing would be misleading. If these parameters were used alone, only an estimated 20 housing units in Slidell would be considered substandard. In 1993, the City of Slidell coordinated its own housing survey. This survey indicated that within this lower income target area an estimated 30 percent of the housing units needed intermediate or major rehabilitation. Approximately 5 percent (or 33 units) of these units were recommended for demolition.
When considering substandard housing City-wide, it is estimated that four percent, or 363 units, are substandard to some extent.
Slidell's housing units, by year of construction, are estimated by the U.S. Census and the City as follows:
| Years 1939 or Earlier | 370 units | |
| Years 1940 to 1949 | 205 units | |
| Years 1950 to 1959 | 666 units | |
| Years 1960 to 1969 | 2,965 units | |
| Years 1970 to 1979 | 3,794 units | |
| Years 1980 to 1989 | 1,076 units | |
| Years 1990 to 1994 | 130 units |
The housing mix in Slidell is primarily made up of single family detached units that comprise 84.7 percent of the total housing units in Slidell (including 1.4% that are mobile homes). The next highest percent of housing units in Slidell are those that are included in buildings of 2 to 4 living units (6.7 percent).
The general trend in housing unit construction during the past five years in Slidell has continued towards 1 unit detached (single family) housing.
Even though the Slidell and east St. Tammany Parish areas are more affordable than other parts of St. Tammany Parish, the housing market is considered very tight, edging prices and rents upward and making affordable, available housing difficult to find.
Large families of five or more persons; rental units for all very low groups, especially African-Americans, are of immediate need. The local market can easily absorb 20-40 new affordable rental units per year.
Homeless persons/families with special needs are summarized below:
Severe Mental Illness: It is estimated that approximately 60 percent of those persons seeking assistance from mental health organizations are homeless or close to homelessness and in need of assistance.
It is estimated that 20 housing units targeted to this group are needed locally.
Homeless Persons with AIDS: Single men are the predominate population in need of this housing and it is estimated that five housing units are needed for those persons who become homeless (or are threatened with homelessness) because of the complications of AIDS. A local permanent shelter is needed.
Homeless Families with Children/Including Victims of Domestic Violence: These families are often, though not always, single women with children who are victims of domestic violence.
Included in this group are families that may be displaced because of fires, natural disasters, or other health and safety hazards. It is estimated that 12 housing units are needed within the next five years in order to house these families.
Homeless Youth: This population is undeserved at this time in the Slidell area and it is estimated that shelter facilities are needed for seventeen homeless youth (male and female) within the next five years.
Alcohol and Drug Abuse: It is estimated that this group represents 10 percent of the total homeless persons in Slidell and these persons may be part of homeless families or may be single.
The Slidell Housing Authority now controls 125 public housing units in two locations, Washington Heights (family units) and Country Gardens (50 elderly units). The public housing units include 59 one bedroom units, 10 two bedroom, and 56 three bedroom units.
The Housing Authority also administers 270 Section 8 Certificates and Vouchers and has applied for an additional 25 Certificates from HUD.
Combining figures for both the public housing and Section 8 programs, the Slidell Housing Authority houses the following households (by head of household):
| Minority head of household | 67.7% | |
| Female head of household | 81.8% | |
| Elderly head of household | 26.4% | |
| Handicapped head of household | 18.5% | |
| Lower income household | 100.0% |
The Housing Authority also administers a special homeless assistance program that provides temporary housing for up to 6 months for 17 homeless families.
Because of the overall high level of rents and the cost of housing in the Slidell area, one of the greatest needs expressed by the Housing Authority is additional rental subsidies for two and three bedroom units. There is also a need for additional affordable housing for sale because Slidell has some of the highest average home prices in the State.
During the 1994 CHAS process, the City of Slidell and the University of New Orleans investigated City policies that may negatively impact the price of housing.
It was concluded that Slidell's policies are not burdensome and do not reduce the availability of affordable housing. The City however, does require new construction to follow building standards set by the Southern Building Code Congress and this is done for the benefit of public safety and welfare.
The City's Zoning Code was also researched as to its impact on affordable housing. It was found that the Zoning Code does not require large lot zoning and does allow multi-family housing, mobile homes, duplexes, and other types of housing that may be affordable to lower income residents.
Federal regulations relating to flood zones and administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) impact housing costs by several thousand dollars per unit. This cost is tied to the need to raise housing structures above the 100 year floodplain in order to reduce the chance of flooding.
Reduce the incidences of housing discrimination and increase public awareness of fair housing laws.
Approximately 57% of Slidell's total housing units may be impacted by high lead levels. Since lower income households make up approximately 28 percent of the City's households, an estimated 1,461 lower income households could be affected by lead based paint.
Includes major drainage work of over 2 million dollars, City wide park improvements, sidewalks, and road overlay work.
The City of Slidell is coordinating the CP process. As part of the coordinated planning process, it was necessary for the City of Slidell to solicit input from various groups and organizations. The City CDBG office prepared a written survey that solicited information and comments. The survey was mailed to over 35 City organizations and a self-addressed, stamped envelope was included. The City also coordinated at least three public hearings and numerous City-wide or neighborhood organizations were also represented at the public hearings.
Organizations surveyed included groups with a wide range of interests. Health- related, educational, social service, business, housing, banking, and governmental organizations were included in the mailed survey.
Since Slidell is a small City with fewer agencies, organizations, and residents than larger cities such as New Orleans, organizational structures are not as complex. The Department primarily interfaces directly with several other City agencies and departments including the Department of Permits, the Housing Authority and the Department of Engineering. Because of the Planning
Department's role in grant administration, City Planning, zoning, and
subdivision review, it also coordinates and interfaces with nonprofit
organizations and community groups.
The City of Slidell's long range vision revolves around three primary goals:
This section contains the housing and community development general priorities adopted by the City of Slidell for the five year period covered in this Consolidated Plan. These priorities represent the overall analysis of need, condition of housing and infrastructure, the local market, public input, and available resources outlined previously in this Plan.
It should be understood that this Consolidated Plan deals with the availability of limited and sometimes declining resources in a marketplace of growing needs. Not all of the needs discussed within this Slidell marketplace can be met by the City, federal dollars, and/or a combination of both. However, through the planned consolidation of resources, it is the hope of the City (as HUD had envisioned) that limited resources can be put to better and more efficient use in order to serve the local population.
Priority #1: Preserve existing affordable housing available to lower income families by aiding in the preservation and rehabilitation of single family housing within designated community development target areas.
Five Year Results: Use CDBG funds to rehabilitate 24 to 30 housing units within target area 409.
Housing data collected by the City of Slidell shows that the greatest housing need, by family size, is for small related families of 2 to 4 persons with income below 30% of median. Additional, standard two bedroom units are badly needed.
Priority #2: To coordinate Slidell City Planning Department activities with those of the Slidell Housing Authority.
Priority #3: To encourage investment and security in the City's low to moderate and minority neighborhoods.
Priority #4: Increase City participation in first time home buyer's or homeowner's programs.
Priority #5: Ensure that low to moderate income households and minority households have equal access to housing.
The highest priority of community development need during the five year Consolidated Planning period is drainage/flood improvements.
The highest public facility need within the community development target area is parks and recreation improvements.
In addition, new sidewalks will be added on one side of the street where drainage improvements are made and where no sidewalks exist. The City will also repair or overlay streets where needed in conjunction with drainage improvements.
Slidell's anti-poverty strategy is closely coordinated with the overall five year strategic plan that is summarized in this Consolidated Plan.
The City of Slidell as lead agency in coordinating this anti-poverty strategy, combines local, state, and federal programs targeted towards:
Includes City funds, private funds (notably banks), Housing Authority, Federal and State funds, and nonprofit resources.
By cooperating with banks, a CHDO, and a private developer, the City is able to leverage its $51,000 in budgeted CDBG funds ($17,000 in FY 95 and $34,000 from previous years) for the first time home buyer program (FY 1995) into an estimated $1,750,000 dollar investment for affordable housing to benefit lower income households.
Through cooperation with the Slidell Housing Authority, the City is able to leverage its $2,000 investment for fair housing and homeownership training into a $5,000 program.
Cooperating with the City Public Works/Engineering Department, the estimated $125,000 annual CDBG investment for drainage improvements will be leveraged to complete a 1.5 million dollar drainage project.
A City investment of $125,000 to help create the Caring Center in 1993-94 resulted in the completion of a $300,000 project for homeless families.
By employing this strategy, it is expected that each CDBG dollar spent in
Slidell will leverage a minimum of three non-CDBG dollars and, in some cases, up
to $65 non-CDBG dollars.
The CDBG funds are expected to total $257,000 in 1995. Of this amount, $125,000 in funds will be spent on drainage improvements, $80,000 will be budgeted for rehabilitation of four to six single family, owner occupied houses; $2,000 will be budgeted for fair housing workshops, public notices, and seminars; $17,000 for a first time home buyer's program to be coordinated with a bank; $13,000 for sidewalk improvements; and the remaining $20,000 will be budgeted for program administration.
Drainage: The drainage improvements proposed in this fiscal year are part of an overall Master Drainage Plan.
Sidewalks: As drainage work is being done and completed, sidewalk work will follow along the same streets.
Housing Rehabilitation: The City has budgeted $80,000 in CDBG funds to assist in upgrading four to six owner-occupied houses within the target area.
First Time Homebuyers Program: The City will work closely with an affordable housing developer, and local banks to provide homes for up to 20 lower income families from the target area.
Fair Housing Program: The City of Slidell is working closely with the Slidell Housing Authority to sponsor a fair housing awareness program.
All of the direct CDBG funds that are spent on houses, sidewalks, drainage, and first time homebuyers will be within the targeted CDBG community development target area, Census Tract 409. This area has the lowest median household income of all Census Tracts within the City of Slidell.
Lead agency will be the Slidell Department of Planning working closely with the Slidell Housing Authority.
The City will rehabilitate four to six owner-occupied units, within the CD target area, for very low income households. The City will also begin its First Time Homebuyers Program with the local banks and a CHDO. This will assist up to 20 local, low income families.
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).
