Places & Faces
Transforming the Mid-City Neighborhood: The Vision Behind Mixed-Income Housing Change is on the horizon in Lake Charles. Take a drive down Lake Street near 18th Street, and you’ll witness the early stages of transformation taking shape. As part of a broader effort to reimagine neighborhoods, Just Imagine SWLA’s Mid-City Neighborhood Transformation is bringing new life to the area with a focus on mixed-income housing and holistic community development. In this two-part Q&A series, we sat down with Nicole Miller, operations manager at the Calcasieu Parish Police Jury, to discuss the Mid-City Neighborhood Transformation project and its impact on the Lake Street area. This series is designed 22
to provide clarity on housing topics and the vision for creating equitable, thriving communities.
through the housing authority, but long waiting lists make access challenging.
Defining Housing Options
• Tax Credit Properties: Private developments with designated low-rent units in exchange for tax credits. Affordable units are integrated into the overall development, making them harder to find, but platforms like LAHousingSearch.org can help.
Understanding affordable housing options can be confusing, but here’s a simplified breakdown: • Public Housing: Deeply subsidized units owned by local housing authorities designed for low-income households. These units are affordable but often grouped in concentrated areas of poverty. • Section 8 Housing: Families pay 30% of their income in rent, with HUD subsidizing the rest. Applicants must obtain a voucher
Thrive Magazine for Better Living • February 2025
• Private Low-Rent Units: Older, less expensive units offered by private landlords, often found through referrals or property management companies. Affordable housing generally means spending no more than 35% of income on rent, but finding
Nicole Miller, operations manager at the Calcasieu Parish Police Jury
affordable options for families with lower incomes can still be difficult in Lake Charles. Historically, public housing was the