Northeast Louisiana Delta Community Development Corporation Completes Two Homes for Low-Income Families

Northeast Louisiana Delta Community Development Corporation (NELDCDC) recently completed construction of two single-family homes for low-income families in northeastern Louisiana. The new homeowners, Geneva Robinson and Gloria Robinson, completed the “First-Time Homebuyers” training class, received credit counseling and qualified for down payment and principal reduction assistance.

In 2003, NELDCDC had 136 participants in the organization’s “First-Time Homebuyers” training class. Of these, 66 participants received certificates and five were approved for USDA home loans. NELDCDC has also begun new construction on two additional homes.

The homes are financed in part by USDA Rural Development (502 loan program), an Affordable Housing Program grant from Federal Home Land Bank of Atlanta through Cross Keys Bank, and Hibernia National Bank’s leverage program. Rural LISC and Mid Delta LISC also provide funding for housing staff salaries and training.

NELDCDC was recently awarded a $678,000 grant by the W. K. Kellogg Foundation to support its work in the Delta Region. NELDCDC is a non-profit corporation in Tallulah, Louisiana that has been serving the community since 1995. Its major focus areas are capacity building, business and workforce development, housing, education and youth development. In delivering its services, NELDCDC provides small business loans, a matched savings program (IDA’s), tutoring, adult literacy and GED classes, financial literacy, homebuyers education classes, and several other workshops and seminars. It has also established a business incubator and Farmer’s Market.