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St. Charles Parish Housing Authority outlines RAD Section 18 plan, seeks local financing support
Summary
Housing Authority director described improvements in HUD performance metrics, a planned RAD Section 18 blended conversion to redevelop public housing, and a projected local financing gap of about $3.0–$3.2 million.
Jedidiah Jackson, executive director of the St. Charles Parish Housing Authority, told the council on July 7 that the agency has improved operational and financial metrics and is moving forward with a RAD Section 18 blended conversion to redevelop several public housing sites.
Jackson said the authority supports 47 families in a parish-owned “boutique” property and 263 housing choice voucher holders in the parish. For the 2024 fiscal year the authority projected a public housing operating budget of $815,800 and $245,800 for housing choice voucher administration; the agency received about $3,000,000 in housing assistance payments in the last calendar year and $357,998 for boutique capital costs.
Jackson said the agency’s property maintenance score under HUD’s Public Housing Assessment System rose from 18 (in 2023) to 77 after instituting quarterly inspections and other steps. He said the authority projects achieving 85% occupancy by September and expects to exit HUD’s recovery plan if the trend holds.
On redevelopment, Jackson said the authority will pursue a RAD Section 18 blended conversion. He said the plan would convert roughly 90% of units to project-based vouchers and use Low-Income Housing Tax Credit–type subsidy for the remaining 10%. The authority will work with developer Standard Enterprises to prepare and upload required documentation to HUD’s RAD Resource Desk. Jackson said staff aim to submit the application in December, seek HUD approval in February, begin construction on August 1 and complete relocation by Sept. 1, 2027.
Jackson told the council the authority’s current public-housing capital funds and reserves can support parts of the financing, but local stakeholders will be needed to fill an anticipated financing gap. He estimated a local financing requirement in the range of $3.0–$3.2 million and said the authority will coordinate with the parish president’s office on requests for assistance.
Council members praised operational improvements. Councilwoman Wilson asked whether housekeeping seminars for residents would be mandatory; Jackson said they would be mandatory and scheduled to accommodate residents’ schedules. Parish President Jewell and Council President DuRoisier thanked Jackson for the improvements and the authority’s work on conversion planning.
Why this matters: A RAD Section 18 blended conversion is a federal program pathway to redevelop aging public housing using project-based vouchers and other subsidies. If implemented, the plan could change the financing mix and physical condition of the authority’s properties and will require coordination with HUD, a developer, and local financing partners.
Proposed next steps identified by Jackson include submitting the RAD application, coordinating relocation and tenant protections, finalizing financing commitments, hiring a finance director, and moving to a property management system with integrated financial modules.
