By james art BATON ROUGE — Affordable housing is expanding with 132 new units throughout East Baton Rouge Parish.
There will be six new developments in North Baton Rouge, South Baton Rouge and Mid City. City Hall says these projects will address the housing needs of the community.
“Affordable housing is important because it lifts people out of poverty by giving them the option to not spend all of their income on housing,” said Mark Armstrong, chief communications officer for the Mayor-President
The total investment for the projects is $6.16 million in state and federal funding.
The six housing developments include Hotel Lincoln Housing Development, The Villas at Mohican, Dayton Street Housing Development, Melrose IV Housing Development, 1335 North Residences Project at the historic Prince Hall Masonic Temple and Melrose III Housing Development.
The Lincoln Hotel and Prince Hall Masonic Temple are historic buildings in Baton Rouge. Armstrong said these developments not only create homes, but also preserve history and revitalize neighborhoods.
“They are important cultural assets that we have here in Baton Rouge, and we want to maintain them and bring them back into commerce.” People living in them again, with storefronts on the first floor,” Armstrong said.
Reggie Mead is the project manager for Kimble Property, owner of the Lincoln Hotel. He said it feels great to see the building come back to life.
“To be able to take something with such a rich history in the community and preserve it while bringing it up to modern standards for the people in the community means a lot to me,” Mead said.
Mead said the Lincoln Hotel will be transformed into 12 one-bedroom units and two retail spaces that will house local nonprofits.
Construction of the projects is due to begin in early 2025.