The free Southwest Louisiana Housing Summit will take place July 13 at the Lake Charles Civic Center.

The Housing Summit, which will be held from 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. on July 13, will include presentations by field experts on blight, clearing titles on adjudicated properties, innovative financing, the creation of mixed-use housing options, resilient building techniques, expanding equity, accessing new federal aid, and other topics. Elected officials, planners, housing non-profits, developers, financial institutions, community leaders, and other stakeholders are invited to attend. 

The Housing Resource Expo will be held from 3 p.m.- 7 p.m. on July 14. This interactive and resourceful event is geared toward anyone who was impacted by the 2020 and 2021 weather events. It will feature a wide variety of exhibitors with information on topics, including recovery grants, property titles, flood insurance, legal services, preventing foreclosure, loan information and disaster case management.

Residents can come browse, speak with experts and service providers, participate in mini-presentations and demonstrations on how to read and understand insurance policies, remediate mold, and many other topics.  Residents can get free COVID-19 vaccines and booster shots (make sure to bring your vaccine card if you have it). There will also be a Kids' Corner with several fun activities. 

 Both events are free and open to the public. 

The events are sponsored by the Calcasieu Parish Police Jury, Louisiana Office of Community Development, the Governor's Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness, the Louisiana Housing Corporation, the Community Foundation of Southwest Louisiana, Just Imagine SWLA, the City of Lake Charles, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and FEMA.