Baton Rouge, La—Bishop Robert Muench commemorated the 5th Anniversary of Hurricane Katrina by dedicating Catholic Charities’ new Families First Housing on Evangeline Street. Bishop Robert W. Muench, Bishop of the Diocese of Baton Rouge, was joined by Rev. Larry Snyder, president of Catholic Charities USA.  The apartments were built by Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Baton Rouge and funded by donations from Catholic Charities USA, which was supplemented by a grant from the Louisiana Disaster Recover Foundation following Hurricane Katrina.  

The apartments will house families displaced and still recovering from the storm’s aftermath.    A study just released by the Children’s Health Fund found that unstable housing is the root cause of persistent challenges faced by families, and children especially, displaced by Hurricane Katrina.

Affordable housing was further stressed in our area a few years after Katrina by Hurricane Gustav, said David C. Aguillard, Executive Director of Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Baton Rouge.   Prior to the storms, Baton Rouge already had a shortage of affordable housing, and the problem has become worse.    

“Studies show that almost half the families for whom it took more than a year to find suitable housing are still struggling to create stable homes,” Aguillard said.  The Families First Program of CCDBR will assist these families by providing affordable housing to eligible families for an interim period while the parents improve their job skills, complete their education and prepare themselves to find and afford market-rate housing.  “Everyone who left New Orleans after Katrina – from the richest to the poorest – needed help.  We will continue to help those who demonstrate a commitment to achieving self-sufficiency and helping themselves,” Aguillard said.

For more information about the Families First Housing program, call 225-336-4406. The agency is accepting applications now. The complex consists of six 3-bedroom and four 2-bedroom modestly furnished units. Families will be encouraged to participate in our budgeting, life skills, home ownership and nutrition classes, and may be required to enroll in our job services, counseling and other programs. Section 8 vouchers will be accepted.  Qualified occupants will be screened and selected after undergoing a background check.