The primary responsibilities of the Governmental and Business Relations (GBR) Division are:

• To apply for and administer federal and state funding programs.
• To plan for the most efficient use of limited public and private housing and community development funds.
• To facilitate programs that expand affordable housing, economic development opportunities, and public services in an effort to address the needs of Lafayette’s low/moderate-income and special needs households.

The GBR division consists of two (2) sections:

ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND PLANNING SECTION

The GBR Economic Development and Planning Section administers programs that expand affordable housing and economic development opportunities. These programs include:

Small Business Assistance

The Economic Development/Planning Section provides technical assistance to local small businesses including information on access to financial resources, business plan development, and tax and financial incentives (including the Enterprise Zone Program). The Economic Development Section also manages special project loans made with federal entitlement funds.

PROGRAM ADMINISTRATION SECTION

The Program Administration Section oversees the management of certain federal, state and local funds. These funds include, but are not limited to:

Federal

Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), HOME Investment Partnerships (HOME), and Emergency Shelter Grant (ESG) funds

State

Emergency Shelter Grant (ESG)

Local

Lafayette Consolidated Government General Funds/ External Agencies. The Program Administration Section is also responsible for the fulfillment of all applicable federal, state and local program regulations.

LCG Consolidated Planning

First-time Homebuyers Assistance (New and Existing Home Purchases)

The Economic Development and Planning Section administers programs that assist low- and moderate-income households in obtaining affordable first-time home mortgages. Participants must meet income requirements and must purchase a home within Lafayette Parish.

For more information, please call (337) 291-8433.