St. Charles Parish Housing Authority Board of Commissioners Regular Meeting – April 29, 2026

The St. Charles Parish Housing Authority Board of Commissioners met on Wednesday, April 29, 2026, at 6:06 PM in the Council Chambers of the Courthouse. The board approved routine items, received an executive director’s report detailing program performance and a critical improvement in the agency’s HUD designation, adopted a resolution to advertise the FY2026 Annual Plan and Capital Fund Action Plan, and received an update on the RAD/Section 18 conversion process.

Consent Calendar

• Agenda Approval: The board approved the agenda with a correction to the meeting date (changed from Tuesday to Wednesday). Motion by Commissioner Diggs, seconded by Commissioner Joseph. Unanimous.
• Minutes Approval: The board approved the minutes from the March 24, 2026, meeting. Motion by Commissioner Diggs, seconded by Commissioner Joseph. Unanimous.
• Financial Report Approval: The board approved the March 2026 financial report. Motion by Commissioner Diggs, seconded by Commissioner Joseph. Unanimous.

Public Comments & Testimony

• No members of the public provided comment during the designated periods. The board opened and closed public comment for agenda items and for the resolution without any speakers.

Executive Director’s Report

Executive Director Jackson presented the March 2026 reports for the Low Rent and Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) programs.

Low Rent Program:

• Total units: 129. Leased: 51. MOD status: 70. Vacant: 8.
• Rent collected: $16,676.
• Waiting list: 104 applicants. The authority is considering reopening the waiting list, especially for larger units (3- and 4-bedroom families).
• 13 maintenance work orders completed timely.
• 2 new admissions.
• Provided a list of current vacancies (as of April 16, 2026) and their status (move-in ready, work pending).

HCV Program:

• Port-outs: 2 searching, 7 paying to other housing authorities (St. John, Kenner, Texas, Harris County, Houston).
• Port-ins: 20 leased up across multiple jurisdictions (Kenner, New Orleans, Thibodaux, Houston, St. John, Florida, Jefferson, etc.).
• No Emergency Housing Vouchers (EOPs) for March.
• HAP and administrative fees paid: $241,884. HCV income: $307,469.68 (from HAP income, incoming portable payments, and administrative fees from HUD).
• 8 tenants undergoing eligibility processing; 5 voucher holders searching in-house; 3 new admissions leased up from waiting list.
• Total vouchers leased: 232. Total voucher holders searching: 7.
• No new landlords added in March.

Agency Designation Improvement: Mr. Jackson announced that as of April 24, 2026, the St. Charles Parish Housing Authority is no longer designated as a “troubled” agency. It is now designated “substandard” in management scoring due to a low occupancy rate (scored 5 out of 10 points) and aged accounts payable/receivables (scored 5 out of 25 points). The physical score was 31 out of 40 (highest historically) and the financial score was 24 out of 25. The authority is considering an appeal to HUD regarding the occupancy and financial scoring. The removal of the “troubled” designation means the agency is no longer in danger of receivership. The agency remains under a recovery agreement until the RAD/Section 18 conversion is completed.

Resolution 26-04-29-01 – Advertising of FY2026 Annual Plan and 2026-2030 Capital Fund Action Plan

• The board opened a public hearing; no public comments were received.
• The resolution authorizes the agency to advertise the FY2026 Annual PHA Plan and the 2026-2030 Capital Fund Action Plan for a 45-day public review and comment period, culminating in a public hearing and board consideration for submission to HUD.
• Staff recommended approval to ensure compliance with HUD regulations.
• Motion by Commissioner Diggs, seconded by Commissioner Joseph. Unanimous approval.

RAD/Section 18 Conversion Update

Mr. Jackson reported that the agency received its CHAP (Contract for Housing Assistance Participation) for the conversion of 129 units. The authority is working with master developer Standard Enterprises and HUD consultant High May Board Nave to prepare units for removal, finalize the financing plan, complete environmental and needs assessments, and engage residents in two more public meetings. A concept call with HUD will be the final step before submitting the financing plan and closing.

• The parish council issued a unanimous vote of support for the conversion, and a letter of support from the parish president was obtained. These will be included in the HUD submission.
• An environmental study raised a concern about the base flood elevation of the units not meeting current federal flood maps. The authority is working with its environmental consultant to address this through a “means test” to demonstrate that lifting the units would be financially destructive to the conversion, potentially allowing a waiver from FEMA and HUD. The authority noted that the properties have not flooded in recent memory.

Key Outcomes

• Agenda approved as corrected (unanimous).
• Minutes of March 24, 2026, approved (unanimous).
• March 2026 Financial Report approved (unanimous).
• Resolution 26-04-29-01 adopted (unanimous) – authorizing advertisement of the FY2026 Annual Plan and 2026-2030 Capital Fund Action Plan.
• Meeting adjourned at 6:29 PM (motion by Commissioner Diggs, seconded by Commissioner Joseph, unanimous).