Krystle Beauchamp
Director of Communications
kbeauchamp@caddo.gov
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JULY 28, 2025 NEW LEGISLATION AIMS TO TARGET LOCAL BLIGHT, SPUR ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT *View the Parish’s information segment on the legislation here:* https://youtu.be/wZEl-l0_ulY Caddo Parish, LA—Thanks to a vision by the Caddo Parish Commission and partnership with state lawmakers, legislation to combat blight, enhance public safety and spur economic development in Caddo Parish has been passed by the Louisiana State Legislature. Act 443 of the 2025 Regular Session, aimed at creating state land banking authorities to address dilapidated and abandoned properties, will allow parishes such as Caddo to adjudicate and/or purchase properties and redevelop them to be placed back into commerce. Currently over 9,000 properties across Caddo Parish remain on the adjudicated property list, where most are cited for property standards and property tax violations. District 2 Commissioner Gregory Young, who spearheaded the effort to create state legislation through the Caddo Commission, believes that a land bank will ultimately address a critical need in many communities across Caddo Parish. The Commission subsequently passed a resolution in 2025, urging lawmakers to enact land banking legislation for Caddo Parish. “I sought a solution to neighborhood decay because I could no longer ignore the slow erosion of the community, empty lots where children used to play, boarded-up homes where families once thrived, and small businesses replaced by silence and dust,” said Commissioner Greg Young. “The recently passed Land Bank legislation offers a unique opportunity for the people of Caddo and our state to create sustainable growth and wellbeing. With targeted investments, community engagement, and inclusive planning, our decaying neighborhoods can be revived into vibrant,sustainable communities,” said Young. Hearing the need and benefit to citizens from the Caddo Commission, Act 443 was introduced by District 39 State Senator Sam L. Jenkins, Jr. The approved legislation grants parishes across the state the power to establish a board of directors to govern their land banking activities, which include the acquisition and rehabilitation of properties. “I commend the Caddo Parish Commission for initiating this effort to address the problems presented by blighted property,” said State Senator Sam Jenkins, Jr. “This landmark legislation will provide parishes and municipalities with a systematic approach to transform vacant and uninhabitable property into excellent opportunities for home ownership, community improvements, and commercial developments,” said Jenkins. The approved legislation goes into effect August 1. *View the Parish’s information segment on the legislation here:* https://youtu.be/wZEl-l0_ulY |
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