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Purpose:
The LINC Area Program is approximately a six month process that engage citizens living and
working in a limited defined geographical neighborhood area in the Parish of Lafayette.
By “engage”is meant the process of informing, involving, assisting, coordinating and
cooperating with citizens in community planning and local government. The focus of this
citizen engagement program is to identify for property owners, residents and businesses
within the target area the problems and opportunities to resolving those problems. The
objective is build a bridge between average citizens on the street and local government
through a potential neighborhood approach. Government is criticized, but government has
resource limitations.
The Program is based on the success of another experimental project called Advanced
Arterial Design. The process involved property owners, residents, and businesses within
corridors of future thoroughfares.
The Neighborhood and Housing Subcommittee has met twice over a two weeks period and agreed
to the following:
1) There is a critical need in the Parish for affordable housing for the
working poor. Affordable housing is defined by the Subcommittee as “owner occupied residential
units for the employed minimum income couple”.
Commentary - Homes are not being constructed in the $50,000 -$60,000
range for low salaried working couples. The First Time Home Buyers Program is not
meeting the need for this modest income market.
2) There is a permanent need for "affordable housing" in Lafayette Parish.
Commentary - The housing inventory for low income households is
critical at this time, but the need is a continuous one and should be made part of
the long range housing plan for the Parish.
3) There are four identifiable resources that may be available to solve the problem:
1. Establishment of a Community Foundation for Lafayette Parish or Acadiana
2. Bankers/Mortgage Lenders Association Program Development
3. Establishment of a Local Parish wide Non-profit Housing Foundation
4. The Community Reinvestment Act
Commentary - Four banks have expressed interest on working on the
affordable housing need.
4) Identification of Builders who may be interested in working on the low income
housing need.
5) Residential Neighborhoods should be centered around a residential park or
square within easy walking distance.
Commentary - Many residential neighborhoods lack accessibility to
neighborhood parks and children must be transported to area parks, frequently
crossing dangerous major streets with a lot of traffic.
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