National affordable housing owner and developer Vitus has acquired a 140-unit affordable housing complex in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and announced its preservation and renovation plans for the site, including a new resident services program with the Rainbow Housing Association Corporation.
La Playa Apartments, known formerly as Suburban Apartments, marks Vitus’s first property acquisition in the state. As part of the acquisition agreement, Vitus renewed the 43-year-old property’s Section 8 Housing Assistance Payment contract and entered into an extended use agreement, which guarantees the property will remain affordable for 35 years.
“It is great to see new companies coming to Baton Rouge and investing time and money to improve our city,” says Erika Green, council member for district 5 in Baton Rouge. “This project is going to preserve local affordable housing options and provide a home to residents for many years to come.”
The community’s new partnership with the Rainbow Housing Association Coalition will provide La Playa’s residents with a number of educational programs for children and adults, including financial literacy, employment readiness, health and nutrition, computer training, crisis intervention, and parenting classes. Rainbow Housing will also provide a referral form and call center to connect tenants to other resources, including food and clothing assistance, crisis intervention, and online programs for GED completion and English as a Second Language (ESL).
“Vitus specializes in protecting and extending the physical life of properties for residents in need,” says Samantha Cullen, development manager for Vitus. “Through our partnership with Rainbow Housing, we are proud to also offer a wide variety of programs and resources. By pairing stable, quality housing with education we are able to have an even greater positive impact on the lives of our residents and the surrounding community.”
The building’s $16.5 million renovation project is underway now and expected to be completed by the end of 2019. Building and unit improvements include full bathroom and kitchen remodels, new HVAC systems in all units, and new roofs and windows, and a new community room and computer lab. Upgrades will include high-efficiency lighting and plumbing packages, low-E coated windows, and ENERGY STAR appliances.
Outdoors, the site will offer a new community garden, outdoor walking path, and kitchen area. Residents will remain in the community during the project, which is expected to cause only minimal disruption.