In light of the dire need for quality, safe, affordable, and accessible housing, Baton Rouge Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome said the city has joined the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Louisiana Housing Corporation in activating Louisiana’s Housing Heroes Initiative.
Housing Heroes is a statewide initiative that works to identify apartments and other rental housing that are move-in ready or have upcoming availability. A significant affordable housing shortage currently plagues Louisiana. Housing Heroes promotes an inclusive strategy to identify and assess readiness critical to the state’s ongoing recovery.
The initiative aims to provide affordable housing opportunities for approximately 2,000 households — 579 to individuals and families transitioning from non-congregate shelters and 1,549 for renters and homeowners impacted by Hurricanes Delta and Laura.
Housing Heroes appeal to single and multifamily landlords with available affordable rental units. These units may include apartments, single-family homes, and mobile homes. To post or update any available vacancies, landlords and property owners can visit www.LAHousingSearch.org or dial 1-877-428-8844 (toll-free).
Assistance may also be available for some property owners who participate in the initiative. The Multifamily Lease and Repair Program (MLRP) allows FEMA to enter into an agreement to cover the cost of repairs and improvements to existing multifamily rental properties for the purpose of providing temporary housing for households displaced due to Hurricane Laura.