Blighted property being turned into new affordable housing
VILLE PLATTE, La. (KLFY) -- In Ville Platte, plans are being laid out to demolish and renovate several blighted properties and turn them into new affordable housing to invite new families into the community.
Ville Platte Housing Authority Chairman Arthur Sampson Jr. spoke with News 10 about the new housing development plans.
"These are some houses that have been in the community that's been overlooked over the years in partnership with Mr. Charles Tate and Mr. Mark Tolson and Mr. Chad Hesnor. They're going to build some new homes here," said Sampson.
Sampson says he's worked with mayor Ryan Leday Williams as well as contractors and developers to bring the plan together, with the goal of not only removing 10 blighted properties that has been an issue in Ville Platte for several years, but also using the land as an opportunity to bring new families into the area by providing affordable housing.
With contracts being signed today and the floor plans of the new housing units locked in, project developer Charles Tate says it's special to see the project ready to go 3 years after the funding was approved.
"It's a great reward to get to the finish line. But in fact, the finish line in most respects is really the starting line," said Tate. "You're going to start by seeing blight removed. Then you're going to see layer by layer of progress built on top of that, whether it's the improvement of sites or the construction. And then finally, the occupancy."
With this project being a team effort between state and federal government, as well as profit and non-profit organizations, Tate says this project serves as an example that working together for the good of the people can lead to great results.
"There is a reason to work together no matter what your walk of life is. And this is just one example of the good things happening for those who roll up their sleeves, work together and are patient enough to wait three years between the funding announcement and finally the ability to get this work done," said Tate.
Contractors say the plan to start demolishing the houses in the coming weeks, with the goal being to complete the new houses in the next 10 to 11 months.
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