Bogalusa AARP is working with Louisiana Community Reinvestment Coalition, Washington Area Affordable Housing in partnership with Southeast Louisiana Legal Services to host a workshop called “Obtaining a Succession – Protecting Your Family Assets and Improving Access to Home Repair Resources” to assist senior citizens and low- and moderate-income homeowners to qualify for housing repair grants from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas SNAP program.

“Some residents have not completed the succession process because of the cost associated with the process, and this makes them ineligible to apply and receive the grant funds,” Bogalusa AARP President Emma Dixon said. “Research informs us this is a national as well as a local problem. We are pleased to be working with The First, a small community bank in Bogalusa, a member bank of FHLB of Dallas, on the grant program.”

Dixon and other Bogalusa residents attended an FHLB training and information workshop in New Orleans last month.

“Residents obtaining access to housing maintenance and repair resources is so important because it prevents further housing deterioration that contributes to the growing problem of blighted housing and vacant and abandoned properties,” Dixon said.

“We also plan to utilize the USDA Rural Housing Program and other housing programs to maximize the amount of the grant award to local eligible residents,” Dixon said.

Interested Bogalusa residents may attend the workshop on March 19 at 3 p.m. at the Bogalusa Senior Citizens Center at 603 Willis Ave.

At that workshop, attendees can have representatives from Southeast Louisiana Legal Services provide succession services on a pro bono basis — saving those who utilize the service up to $250 in filing fees.

Applications for the FHLB of Dallas SNAP will also be available.

Dixon added that if enough interest is shown, the group will try to hold a second meeting at ESM United Methodist Church.