200 housing vouchers available for willing developers

Brand new, renovated or vacant — it doesn't matter.

The Jefferson Parish Housing Services Development District (HSDD) will assign vouchers to 200 units if a developer or property owner can assemble the needed units before December.

HSDD invites property owners and developers to submit proposals demonstrating their project eligibility, qualifications, and interest in securing Project-Based Vouchers (PBV). PBV assistance provides rental subsidies on behalf of eligible families who live in units that are contracted under the program.

"The Project-Based Voucher program is a great opportunity to increase the supply of affordable housing in Jefferson Parish," said Circular Housing Consultant Selarstean Mitchell. "The housing assistance is tied to the unit rather than the family, for up to twenty years. Such assistance makes it attractive to owners and developers."

Up to 200 vouchers are available. HSDD’s goal is to expand housing opportunities in Jefferson Parish for homeless veterans, elderly persons, persons with disabilities, and other low and moderate-income families.

There are two rounds of applications. The deadline for submission of applications for Round 1 is August 14, 2023. The deadline for submission of applications for Round 2 is December 18, 2023. Applications for existing units will be on a first-come, first-served basis. Applications must be submitted to HSDD, 121 Pailet Drive, Harvey, LA 70058. The complete Request for Proposals may be accessed at www.jphsdd.org.

From the Executive Director's desk

As always, we continue to thank all our stakeholders for their participation in the Housing Choice Voucher Program. We take tremendous pride in providing updates to and servicing our clientele.

As everyone should be aware, The National Standards for the Physical Inspection of Real Estate, or NSPIRE, became effective this month for public housing, marking an overhaul of the Department’s 20-year-old physical inspection model.

NSPIRE improves HUD’s oversight by aligning and consolidating inspection regulations used to evaluate HUD housing across multiple programs. We encourage all landlords and their tenants to educate themselves on the NSPIRE Standards.

This information is easily accessible at HUD.gov.

In other positive news, the HSDD has begun a Project- Based Voucher (PBV) Solicitation. This solicitation is aimed at attracting new units and landlords to the program. This program is attractive to potential landlords. Details regarding this solicitation can be found on the HSDD’s webpage

Martha Kegel, Executive Director, Unity for the Homeless

JPHSDD awarded stability vouchers for homelessness, housing insecurity

According to HSDD Executive Director Dorian Rawles, the toughest part of his job is turning away a homeless parent with children when there are no housing opportunities available. But thanks to new Stability Vouchers awarded by HUD and a partnership with UNITY for the Homeless, the agency can say "Yes!" instead of no.

HUD just awarded eight Stability Vouchers to the agency to encourage a commitment to the goal of ending homelessness in their communities. The vouchers will be administered in collaboration with UNITY to those homeless individuals in the area.

"The Stability Vouchers awarded to JPHSDD will have a significant impact in reducing homelessness in Jefferson Parish," said UNITY Executive Director Martha Kegel. "These vouchers will be linked to intensive supportive services, provided by the housing services district, that will assist people with mental illness and other disabilities to become stably housed for the long term. We are grateful to JPHSDD for its tremendous partnership to reduce homelessness in Jefferson."

UNITY will identify individuals who are most at-risk and most able to transition into a housing unit. They will then send that person or family to HSDD so that they can be processed and moved into a home or apartment.

In order to qualify for a Stability Voucher, a person must be either a victim of domestic violence experiencing homelessness; a homeless military veteran; a person or family that is homeless; or a person or family that is at severe risk of being homeless.

"Although eight vouchers doesn't seem like a lot considering the need that we have in our region, it will be a real life miracle for that family who can move from a vehicle or outdoors into a functioning high-quality home," said Rawles.

NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING, 2024 FIVE-YEAR PLAN AND ANNUAL AGENCY PLAN

On Thursday September 13, 2023, at 7:00pm a Public Hearing will be held at the Jefferson Parish Housing Services Development District Office located at 121 Pailet Drive on the 2024 Five-Year Plan and Annual Agency Plan.

The Five-Year Plan describes the mission of HSDD and the agency’s long-range goals and objectives for achieving its mission over a five-year period, and their approach to managing programs and providing services.

The purpose of the Public Hearing is to provide an opportunity for the public to voice any comments and ask any questions they may have regarding the content of the 2024 Five -Year Plan and Annual Agency Plan.

The plans are available on HSDD’s website at www.jphsdd.org and at the HSDD office located at 121 Pailet Drive, Harvey, LA 70058, Monday-Thursday, 9:00am- 3:00 pm.

info@jphsdd.org

This is our general information e-mail address.

It should be used for all information and general questions.

LandlordCare@jphsdd.org

This address should be used for all Property Owners and Managers to address issues, concerns, and programmatic processes.

ClientCare@jphsdd.org

This address should be used for all Program Participants to address issues, concerns, and programmatic processes.

Increases@jphsdd.org

This address should be used for all questions related to all rent-related increases.

Inspections@jphsdd.org

This address should be used for all inspection-related issues.

PLEASE BE ADVISED

Effective immediately, the office is open to walk-ins Monday through Thursday only. Walk-ins are not allowed on Fridays, with every fourth Friday fully closed for staff development & training.

Vision Statement

The Housing Services Development District aims to be a vanguard for affordable housing and self sufficiency programs which meets the various housing needs of the community while providing viable economic opportunities.

Mission Statement

The Housing Services Development District ardently works to create, maintain, and expand a wide variety of affordable housing opportunities across Jefferson Parish.

Core Values

The Housing Services Development District is devoted to our CPR core values which are Commitment, Professionalism, and Respect for all of our stakeholders.