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Community Services details food, utility and housing aid as rental demand rises
Summary
Department of Community Services representative Joan Diaz told the council the department provided food, utility and housing assistance last year and is facing increased demand for rental help and home repairs; staff outlined programs, partnerships and pilot service expansions.
Joan Diaz, a representative of the Department of Community Services, briefed the council on the department’s programs and usage data, saying the office operates as “the safety net services for struggling families throughout St. Charles Parish.”
Diaz told the council the department coordinates with community partners and federal programs to provide utility and rent assistance, home repairs, emergency food and youth programs. She said the parish processed roughly $350,000 in direct assistance through the Louisiana Housing Corporation over the reporting period and that the HUD tenant‑based rental assistance partnership drew down about $91,000 during the partial year the program was available.
On food and youth services, Diaz said the department served over 5,000 summer meals across two sites this year and distributed 399 Thanksgiving baskets last year. The department operates an on‑site food bank and supplements Second Harvest supplies with purchased food and donations; Diaz said the department distributed 735 bags of food last year and has provided thousands of meals through hot‑meal programs.
Diaz described home‑repair assistance ranging from minor health‑and‑safety fixes such as grab bars to more substantial projects funded through HUD Home and other pots of money. She said USDA funding supported six larger projects in the federal fiscal year window and that ramp construction has been constrained as United Way funding fell from prior years.
Council members asked about expanding morning drop‑in services. Diaz said the parish will pilot an early drop‑in in Kelowna this year and will offer a morning drop‑in at Boutchie with a nominal fee. She also said the department makes referrals to workforce partner Tommy Scott and works with Catholic Charities and other nonprofits on coordinated services.
Council members thanked staff and recognized a retirement: Diaz noted staff member Courtney will retire at month’s end. Diaz closed by thanking the council for support and asking continued cooperation with partner agencies.
The council did not take formal action on the report; the presentation was an informational update with a question‑and‑answer period.
