Housing agency director tells locals about help for homebuyers, renters

PATTERSON — Mortgage rates are down slightly this summer, but still near levels homebuyers haven’t seen in 15 years. Rents are up, too.

Patterson Mayor Rodney Grogan called for a town hall meeting Monday that put potential homeowners, renters and contractors in touch with the director of the Louisiana Housing Corp., who offered information on dozens of housing assistance programs available through the state.

“What I tell folks,” Director Joshua Hollins told the crowd, “is we make the American dream affordable.”

The event drew about 80 people, about as many who could fit in a meeting room at the Patterson Area Civic Center. They left with a promise that LHC personnel will return to help complete applications at a date to be determined.

The Census Bureau says St. Mary Parish had a yearly average of 22,557 housing units 2017-21, two-thirds of them owner occupied. The median rent was at $799 per month in 2021.

But Grogan told the audience that people are paying $900 per month or more in rent, money that could be invested in a home.

“Take the negativity out of your heart,” Grogan said.

Grogan was especially keen on the LHC’s Keys for Service program, which offers 4% in down payment and closing costs toward purchasing their home.

Employed and certified teachers, paramedics, people who work in health care, first responders and emergency telecommunications employees are eligible for the program with incomes of up to $125,000 per year.

Another potentially helpful program is called Pathways, created for people in areas damaged by hurricanes Laura, Delta or Ida. St. Mary, Assumption and St. Martin qualify as a result of Ida.

Pathways offers what Hollins called a “soft second loan” to bridge the gap between a home’s price and the amount a potential buyer can afford. That’s good for 20% of the purchase price for a benefit of up to $55,000, plus up to $5,000 for closing costs.

If the buyer stays in the home for 10 years, the loan is forgiven.

That program is open to first-time homebuyers and people who have owned a home in the past jointly with a spouse.

Other LHC programs direct assistance at renters, landlords and contractors, including funds for rehabilitation and weatherization.

You can find out more about LHC programs at lhc.la.gov. Hollins also offered to find answers for questions emailed to jhollins@lhc.la.gov.