Pick a number--whether its 5000, 6500, or 9000. Whatever is the accurate count, Shreveport has an egregious number of adjudicated properties. These are houses and empty lots that are titled in the city's name due to non-payment of ad valorem properties.
These properties are a major factor in Shreveport Mayor Tom Arceneaux's campaign against blight. And Shreveport is not alone with this growing urban challenge. However, Shreveport is behind the curve of many cities, including Baton Rouge and New Orleans in developing a strategy to address this issue.
Shreveport's Director of Community Development Verni Howard is keenly aware of the need for affordable housing, the blight of adjudicated properties and the need for effective action to stop and then reverse this unhealthy trend. Shreveport's Director of Economic Development Bill Sabo has identified the blight/housing issue as one that needs immediate attention.
The Shreveport Implementation and Redevelopment Agency (SIRA) is an independent authority charged with a wide range of responsibilities, including blight. The SIRA enabling legislation is modeled after two well-established redevelopment agencies: Build Baton Rouge and the New Orleans Redevelopment Agency (NORA).
Build Baton Rouge and NORA have built track records of success that have led to the development of a well-funded staff with substantial private and public dollars. SIRA has a dedicated board of directors with diverse backgrounds but no staff and little money. (The 2025 Shreveport budget includes an allocation of $100,000 for SIRA).
To be successful SIRA will need a director that can channel the Board's energy into a short list of practicable and doable priorities. SIRA along with Community Development need to narrow the focus to one or two city blocks and restore/build housing that can be for home ownership. Building a track record, albeit a small one, is critical to further funding by the City, application of Community Development funds, private grants, and the like.
Its time, actually long past time, to make progress on Shreveport's blight and lack of decent affordable housing. Prior city administrations have kicked this can down the road and Mayor Tom has made this challenge a priority. Much like the successful Paint Your Heart Out campaign, the City needs to develop a Reinvest in Your Heart--Shreveport.