Lawmakers ask state to study converting vacant state property into housing for employees

Representative Newell presented House Resolution 3 asking the Louisiana Housing Corporation (LHC), the Division of Administration and the State Civil Service Commission to study the feasibility of creating housing and rental assistance using vacant state‑owned property, prioritizing state employees where buildings are located.

Newell said the idea was drawn from municipal examples and would begin with identifying underused state properties that could be rehabbed and offered to state employees before being opened more widely to local employees. "If we have state buildings that taxpayers have already paid for and those buildings are now standing vacant, why not see how these buildings can be repurposed?" she asked.

Committee members focused on the resolution's fiscal note. Representative Marcel and others noted the fiscal office summary requested a full‑time staff position (approximately $84,000) and several part‑time positions for a multiyear study; Kim Frigier of the Legislative Fiscal Office said the LHC indicated it did not have staff capacity to complete the feasibility study without additional positions. Members suggested narrowing scope (pilot two parishes such as Baton Rouge and New Orleans) to reduce cost and asked LHC to appear to explain the requested staffing.

Several members—including Representatives Freeman and Knox—supported the resolution as a creative, low‑cost way to identify potential housing stock; Representative Horton cautioned about the perception that the state would be running grocery‑style housing (she later accepted that the measure is permissive and asks only for a study). Representative Marcel moved the resolution favorably; the committee reported HR 3 favorable.

Why it matters: Sponsors said repurposing unused state property could provide targeted housing relief for employees and reduce cost burdens in tight local housing markets. Members asked LHC for better justification of staffing and for a narrower pilot option to reduce fiscal impact.

Next steps: HR 3 was reported favorable from the Appropriations Committee and will proceed to further consideration.