Case Study
Home Rehabilitation Grant Program
In 2005, the Old South Baton Rouge (OSBR) planning process was initiated to identify key strategic areas to focus on for successful revitalization. One of the strategies to overcome the declining population, neighborhood disinvestment, and blighted property was to strengthen and preserve the residential neighborhoods.
APPROACH
In 2008, CPEX began the first round of the Home Rehabilitation Grant Program. The Home Rehabilitation Grant Program assists in the repair and updating of existing low-income, owner-occupied homes within OSBR, in any of the prioritized eight Project Development Areas (PDA). The program strives to preserve the quality of the neighborhood, expand the supply of safe, affordable housing, and help homeowners carry out and maintain home improvements.
PLANNING
Since then, through resources from Capitol One Bank, East Baton Rouge Mortgage Finance Authority, Entergy, J.P. Morgan Chase and Neighborworks America, CPEX has successfully completed three rounds of the Home Rehabilitation Grant Program, rehabilitating 10 homes in OSBR. Volunteer and material donations have also been provided by Home Depot, Mid City Redevelopment Alliance, Hands On Baton Rouge, LSU CUP, City Year, Hilltop Arboretum and Teach for America.
Eligible homeowner rehabilitation activities include the repair, rehabilitation, or reconstruction of homes in order to improve efficiency and handicapped accessibility. All improvements in OSBR must also be performed in a manner consistent with the applicable regulations, codes and ordinances and the design criteria outlined in the OSBR Pattern Book.
OUTCOMES
Ten homeowner rehabilitation projects have been completed. At least ten additional homes will be selected in OSBR and Scotlandville for the fourth round of the Home Rehabilitation Grant Program.
