Households affected by the hurricanes of 2020 and 2021 can now receive re-housing assistance.

Last month, Endeavors — a San Antonio-based national service organization that provides no-cost rapid re-housing services — opened an office in Lake Charles.

This is the first time that Endeavors has operated in the area. They came to Lake Charles in response to the community’s need for stabilized housing, said Keddric Gasaway, director of community housing assistance programs, Endeavors.

Hurricanes Laura, Delta and Ida left villains of dollars in damage in their wake, and hundreds of Southwest Louisiana households vulnerable and unhoused. While housing assistance has been provided through the Federal Emergency Management Agency, rehousing deadlines are looming.

“FEMA clients were nearing their expiration dates to vacate their temporary residential areas and Endeavors specializes in Rapid Re-housing and housing stability. Endeavors saw there is still a need for assistance in this area due to the number of families still housed by FEMA.”

Gasaway explained that Endeavors aims to nurture sustainable and healthy housing in SWLA by providing “comprehensive, effective and innovative services that encourage growth, allowing people to build better lives for themselves, their families and their communities.”

In partnership with the Louisiana Housing Corporation, Endeavors’ goal is to jumpstart residents’ journey to permanent housing stability. They work directly with families to develop housing stabilization plans.

Their rapid re-housing services include rental application assistance, job supportive services, security deposits, housing stabilization, intensive case management, referral to outside resources and other various supports to address unmet basic needs.

“The primary focus of this plan will be on the issues that affect housing retention such as examining what caused the current crisis and previous episodes of housing instability, identifying the most pressing needs that affect the current housing situation and the procedures anticipated to overcome the barriers”

Families can be expected to be greeted with “accountability, integrity, care and compassion” when they walk through the office doors.

“We believe that everyone holds the capacity to grow, heal, change, succeed and affect others positively. … Regardless of our client’s financial disposition, we present a supportive base to remove any bårriers that may come forth through the housing process.”

Since December, Endeavors has placed 61 families in a home or apartment.

To be eligible, families must be currently living in FEMA housing, must have suffered housing damage from 2020 and 2021 hurricanes and reside in Allen, Beauregard, Calcasieu, Cameron and Jeff Davis parishes.

Endeavors’ Lake Charles office is located at 3101 Lake St. Suite 109. For more information, call 337.240.9050 or email LRR@endeavors.org.