Louisiana’s allure lies in its unique blend of natural beauty, cultural diversity and economic opportunities. The state’s rich, natural bounty is why Louisiana is known as the “sportsman’s paradise.”
But it’s getting harder and harder to live here. Dramatic and sudden increases in housing costs — largely due to increases in property insurance — have affected both homeowners and renters. Across the state, there is a shortage of rental homes and affordable housing for low-income residents.
Many residents are what’s known as “cost-burdened,” defined as spending more than half their income on housing. Severely cost-burdened households are also more likely to sacrifice other necessities like healthy food, healthcare and education. They are more likely to experience unstable housing conditions and face eviction. It’s a problem felt throughout the state.
“Like most of Louisiana, none of the parishes on the Northshore have rentals that are affordable (to workers) making $7.25 an hour — Louisiana’s minimum wage,” said Andreanecia Morris, president of HousingLOUISIANA, a statewide network of housing advocates whose primary goal is to ensure that all Louisiana’s housing needs are met. “In St. Tammany Parish, someone needs to make over $20 an hour to afford an apartment. This means that workers at restaurants, grocery stores and other essential jobs can’t easily find and sustain housing.”
Advocates like Morris and organizations like HousingLOUISIANA and Habitat for Humanity are working with low-income residents on the Northshore, but it’s not enough. The average rental unit price in St. Tammany Parish has increased by more than 19.3% since 2020. More affordable housing is needed, along with more support from officials.
“Residents on the Northshore have set priorities to address the specific needs for the various communities, but policymakers and elected officials struggle to secure and align resources that can have the necessary impact,” Morris said. “For example, officials in Hammond are currently fighting to stop the creation of transitional housing for the homeless.”
Morris said homeownership costs on the Northshore also place first-time homeownership out of reach without help from groups like Habitat for Humanity to help subsidize the costs.
Problems are compounded for those trying to rebuild their lives following incarceration — which includes many on the Northshore. A disproportionate percentage of the state prison population hails from only five parishes — Caddo, East Baton Rouge, Jefferson, Orleans and St. Tammany. Together they account for 85% of state inmates.
“Once those incarcerated individuals have completed their prison terms, they should be able to return to their families and home communities,” Morris said. “The lack of transitional housing and even traditional rental housing means those Northshore residents will have a tough time finding housing and all the things safe decent housing helps one secure.”
Kentrell Jones, executive director of East St. Tammany Habitat for Humanity, said low-income communities are impacted the most from a lack of diverse housing stock that includes affordable options near major employment centers.
The average rental unit price in St. Tammany Parish has increased by more than 19.3% since 2020.
“With a lack of public transportation in many of the Northshore communities, many low-income residents must travel farther distances to work. When you add the proportion of the household income that now must go toward high rental cost and transportation, low-income families have less money for other necessities.”
East St. Tammany Habitat for Humanity’s goal is to provide affordable homeownership opportunities for low-income families with incomes between 30%-80% of the Area Median Income, or AMI. The organization is working to address affordable homeownership by developing affordable single detached homes; however, Jones said there must also be a focus on multifamily housing.
Efforts that aid in affordability include incentives or requirements for new development tied to density increases and parallel investments to preserve and increase affordability in affected neighborhoods, ideally in advance of rezoning. That can include investments in housing trust funds to help nonprofits build dedicated affordable housing, land acquisition assistance, down payment assistance and rental vouchers.
When it comes to aiding current homeowners struggling with insurance costs, new legislation could require some relief be given to those that make efforts to reduce risk.
Both East St. Tammany Habitat for Humanity and HousingLOUISIANA support SB484, legislation introduced on April 2, that, if passed, will require insurance companies to provide 20%-30% discounts on premiums or reduced insurance rates for homeowners who install a fortified roof.
“Homeowners deserve clarity when undertaking this significant property upgrade,” said Morris. “They should not have to hope that they receive an insurance discount for fortifying their roofs; it should be required. With homeowners facing extreme difficulty accessing insurance to protect their homes, it’s imperative to provide support to help them maintain their insurance and incentivize those homeowners taking steps to mitigate the impact that storms could have on their homes.”
Louisiana’s Fortify Homes Program can make a significant impact on Louisiana’s current home insurance crisis by providing grants to help offset the cost of a fortified roof, but the program has currently allocated all its funding. Future funding remains uncertain.
East St. Tammany Habitat for Humanity is currently working to retrofit as many homes with a fortified roof as possible. To date, East St. Tammany Habitat for Humanity has completed more than 20 homes and has five additional homes under construction.
For Jones, it’s important for people to understand that solving the housing problem on the Northshore doesn’t happen overnight or with one action or program.
“It requires a comprehensive housing strategy that includes diverse housing options,” she said. “That includes single-family detached and attached housing, multifamily housing, and shelter for the unhoused.”
