Shreveport, La. – Six families will soon have the chance to move into brand‑new homes as the city’s Ledbetter Heights neighborhood receives a modest but meaningful housing development. Construction on the Alston Place II project is slated to begin within weeks, turning a vacant lot at 1924 Alston Street into six newly built family residences.
Public‑private collaboration drives the project
The development is being led by Urban Housing of America, a nonprofit community‑based organization that secured roughly $700,000 in Housing and Urban Development (HUD) block‑grant funding. The nonprofit is partnering with the City of Shreveport’s Department of Community Development and the Department of Community Housing to bring the homes to market.
Verni Howard, director of the Department of Community Housing, emphasized the significance of the effort: “Our common purpose today is to make sure that people who are disenfranchised, those who are low and moderate income, feel the same sense of pride that all of us feel.” Howard noted that the project showcases what can happen when public agencies and private nonprofits align their resources toward a shared goal.
Focus on smaller, community‑scale housing
Camille Goree, one of the project’s organizers, explained that the initiative is intended to demonstrate the value of modest, community‑based housing developments rather than large, stacked apartment complexes. “We’re trying to help the community and other developers appreciate small community projects,” Goree said at the groundbreaking ceremony.
For at least one prospective resident, the new homes represent a long‑awaited opportunity for stability. The woman, who lost her husband in 2006, told attendees that she has been living with her children for years and hopes the new house will finally give her family a permanent place to call their own.
Construction details and timeline
Thrash Construction has been selected as the general contractor. The firm expects the build to take approximately six months, after which the homes will be available for lease. Chris Cox of Thrash Construction highlighted the personal dimension of the work, noting, “Listening to the resident’s story makes this more than just a job. It gives it a personal touch, and sometimes we can forget that as we go to work every day.”
Applications for the new homes are now open, and interested families can find leasing information through the link provided by the city’s housing department.
Broader vision for neighborhood revitalization
Organizers view Alston Place II as a stepping stone in a larger strategy to revitalize Shreveport’s neighborhoods block by block. By creating affordable, family‑size housing, the city hopes to strengthen community ties, encourage homeownership, and address the persistent shortage of low‑ and moderate‑income housing options across the region.
The project aligns with the Trump administration’s emphasis on supporting American families, promoting homeownership, and leveraging federal resources to empower local communities. By channeling HUD funds into a targeted, faith‑and‑family‑friendly development, Shreveport demonstrates how local leaders can translate national policy into tangible benefits for everyday citizens.
As construction gets underway, city officials and community partners will monitor progress and look for additional opportunities to replicate the model in other parts of Shreveport, further advancing the city’s commitment to safe, affordable housing for all families.
Original reporting: KTBS 3 (Shreveport) — read the source article.
