TERRYTOWN, La – On April 11, the Jefferson Parish Economic Development Commission launched a new grant program that aims to make the community more attractive to incoming homebuyers and more economically competitive. The Jefferson Parish Residential Façade Improvement Grant Program will provide up to $8,500 for exterior repairs and updates to selected homes in Terrytown.
JEDCO’s partners in the project include Jefferson Parish, the Jefferson Parish Finance Authority and the New Orleans Education League of the Construction Industry.
The program applies to owner-occupied, single-family homes located within the eligible property boundary in Terrytown. Homes must be within Holmes Boulevard, Wright Avenue, Behrman Highway, and Belle Chasse Highway. Eligible projects include landscaping, wood repairs, painting, new doors/windows and driveway/sidewalk improvements.
“This exciting program provides a wonderful opportunity for homeowners to improve their property and to encourage pride in home ownership in the Terrytown area,” said Valarie Hart, executive director of NOEL.
“The Jefferson Parish Finance Authority is pleased to continue our partnership in the Jefferson Parish Facade Improvement Grant Program,” said Lauren Ruppel, JPFA executive director. “Programs like these continue to enhance our community for current and future homeowners of Jefferson Parish.”
The residential façade improvement program is an action item created as a result of the Terrytown Neighborhood Revitalization Strategic Plan, which aims to provide a suite of tools, resources and recommendations that will improve existing housing stock, encourage the development of new desirable housing units and improve the neighborhood amenities and infrastructure in Terrytown.
Spearheaded by Jefferson Parish and JEDCO, the plan was created to stimulate investment in housing stock that complements surrounding architectural styles while featuring contemporary interior and exterior designs in demand by today’s homebuyers.
In 2020, leaders from JEDCO, Jefferson Parish, NOEL, JPFA and the Home Builders Association of Greater New Orleans cut the ribbon on a model home in Terrytown, which was constructed using funding from Council District 1 in partnership with the JPFA. The dollars from the sale of the model home are being used to fund the façade program alongside contributions from Jefferson council members Scott Walker and Jennifer Van Vrancken. Original funding for the model home construction, which was replenished upon the sale of the house, was provided by Council District 1.
Terrytown is the oldest planned suburban development in Jefferson Parish. The Jefferson Parish Council voted for Terrytown to become the first neighborhood for the pilot program because of its “many community strengths, opportunities and challenges,” according to a JEDCO spokesperson.
Selection of projects will be determined by a completed application and transparent lottery process. The deadline to apply is May 11 at 9 p.m. The lottery for the first round of applications will take place in the weeks following the application deadline. All applications must be filled out and emailed to [email protected]. For more information about the program and to apply, visit https://www.noelci.org/.
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