St. Charles Parish · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in St. Charles Parish public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
RAD/Section 18 conversion progress
The housing authority is converting its public housing properties through the RAD/Section 18 process, which changes how the properties are financed and managed. HUD sign-offs, tax credit applications, and resident relocation are the big moving parts, with a resident meeting set for September 8.
Parish buys Hahnville property for $243,750
The parish bought the last private piece splitting its courthouse-area campus for $243,750, below appraisal. Access questions about the private street were raised but the parish owns adjacent land.
Redevelopment of St. Gertrude Catholic Church campus, Des Allemands
The hurricane-damaged St. Gertrude property could be redeveloped after planners backed a resubdivision and a rezone to highway commercial. A next-door neighbor worries about drainage onto his ditch and extra traffic on a lane maintained for cemetery access.
Housing Choice Voucher Waiting Lists Closed
Both the low-rent and voucher waiting lists are closed right now. The list was last opened over a year ago, and reopening depends on bedroom-size availability — tough news for families seeking housing assistance.
Home repair and ramp programs for seniors
The United Way ramp money dropped from $100,000 to $35,000, but volunteer crews from St. Charles Borromeo's Labor of Love build ramps, steps and rails for a fraction of contractor cost — letting the smaller budget serve about as many people.
Hahnville Branch Library Project
The new Hahnville branch library is on track — the 90% construction estimate came in within the $9.2 million budget. Final approval of the guaranteed maximum price is expected at the next board meeting.
Marie Keat Lane servitude dispute
A Hahnville family's plan to split their property stalled because neighbors who own the lane as their driveway object to a new lot using the 1968 access servitude. Commissioners told the parties to reach a legal agreement before the September meeting.
Housing Authority policy updates (ACOP and HCV plan)
HUD issued a new procurement handbook, so the Housing Authority raised its purchasing thresholds — micro purchases to $15,000, small purchases to $60,000, public works to $250,000, and RFPs at $350,000-plus — while keeping stricter state limits where they apply.
Housing Authority turnaround and redevelopment
The Housing Authority is out of HUD's 'troubled' status, scores are way up, and a RAD/Section 18 conversion will renovate Boutte and Hahnville properties and rebuild Des Allemands for roughly 300 assisted households.
Des Allemands boat launch groundbreaking
The boat launch project's cost is going up by about $149,000, and the schedule is being extended by 30 days.
Housing Authority vacancies and rent collections
The Boutte property is nearly full — 54 of 129 units leased, with two move-ins February 1 and just three vacancies to fill. Twenty-nine work orders were completed in December.
PHA FY26 Annual Plan and 2026-2030 Capital Fund Plan
The board approved advertising the annual plan and five-year capital fund plan for a required 45-day public comment period before a public hearing and HUD submission. These documents lay out the agency's goals and spending priorities for low-income housing.
MARS recycling barge facility near St. Rose
A barge recycling operation is proposed on the Bonnet Carré Spillway across from Highland Oaks, and neighbors are worried about truck traffic, safety, noise, dust, possible open burning, and riverbank stability. The permit isn't decided yet — public comment runs through June 2 — and residents are pushing for a denial or much tighter conditions.
Swampland fill for future residential use on East Harding
An applicant wants to fill swampland with recycled concrete and sand, saying it's for a future home, but never submitted a development plan. Staff recommended denial because clearing land with no plan isn't an acceptable use under the coastal program.
Resubdivision of lots on Barber Road, Paradis
A family is squaring off a lot line between adjacent parcels on Barber Road to position a new home. The landlocked resulting lot will use a 30-foot servitude through a neighboring lot instead of direct street frontage, which the commission waived.
Proposed sale of Eastern Greenbelt Park property, Norco
Two introduced ordinances would let the parish sell portions of Eastern Greenbelt Park in Norco — one for $20,000 and one for $80,000 — with a June 1 hearing.
Department of Engineering creation and leadership confirmations
An introduced ordinance would create a parish Department of Engineering under the administration chapter, spelling out its responsibilities.
Waiting list reopening for two- and three-bedroom units
The HCV waiting list reopens February 11-12, with details on the authority's website next week. Vouchers leased should also rise as the authority adds roughly two voucher holders a month.
Building elevation requirement for Highway 90 storage buildings
A young local family wants to build a boat and RV storage business on Highway 90 but says the 6-foot elevation rule doesn't fit their site between two different road elevations. Supporters argued the parish risks losing businesses to neighboring parishes with faster permitting.
Residential lot splits in St. Rose, Des Allemands, and Luling
Four routine minor resubdivisions were approved, including a father splitting land to build his daughter a house and two Des Allemands lot splits that could each hold a home.