With the Metro Council set to vote in a few weeks on transferring property from the city-parish to the Habitat for Humanity of Greater Baton Rouge, Councilwoman Chauna Banks-Daniel says she wants a moratorium on Habitat homes in her district for the time being.
In an email sent to local media, Banks-Daniel says she wants to see more of a balance between low-income and mid-income housing programs through the city-parish Office of Community Development, which has acquired the lots in question and would be the office donating them to Habitat for Humanity.
She also wants more coordination with Habitat for Humanity on where and when it would build homes in her district, which encompasses parts of Baker, Brownsfield, Alsen and Scotlandville.
“Businesses judge the economic performance of a community mainly in terms of consumption level and dynamics,” Banks-Daniel writes in her email. “There appears to be an over-consumption of low-income housing. This dynamic makes it difficult to attract a grocery story and other retail establishment in my district.”
Banks-Daniel’s comments are surprising to Lynn Clark, executive director of Habitat for Humanity of Greater Baton Rouge. Clark says the councilwoman has attended the last two home dedications in her district.
Habitat for Humanity has built 59 homes in District 2 during its time in Baton Rouge, giving a safe home to 127 children and 76 adults, Clark says.
“All of their homes were built on vacant or blighted property including two condemned houses that we tore down which were being used for illicit activities,” Clark says in a statement. “Now all 59 of those homeowners are paying property taxes and supporting the businesses in the area.”
Clark adds that Habitat homes in District 2, which she says is one of their most popular areas for potential homeowners, have increased the property values in those areas. For the most recent home dedication Banks-Daniel attended—which happened two months ago for a mother with six children—the home was appraised for $115,000.
“With the support of thousands of community volunteers and the financial support of small and large corporations and churches, Habitat has worked very hard to make a positive impact on our homeowners and in the areas where we build,” Clark says in the statement.
Under the cooperative endeavor agreement proposed, the Office of Community Development would land take acquired from other community development organizations and donate it to Habitat. Per the agreement, Habitat would be required to build housing for low-income families within three years of the donation.
The item will be introduced Wednesday and then will possibly be voted on two weeks later.
—Ryan Broussard
