East Baton Rouge Opens 180-Acre Land Program Applications This Summer

East Baton Rouge Parish opened applications July 1 for 180 acres of newly released parcels zoned for single-family homes and small multifamily projects. The first round targets sites along Government Street and near the Perkins Road corridor.

The release arrives as Baton Rouge home prices rose 11 percent year-over-year through May, according to parish assessor data, pushing more first-time buyers and small builders toward city-led land programs. Officials say the parcels will help ease pressure on existing neighborhoods while meeting a target of 2,200 new housing units by 2029.

Two parcels sit within the Mid City neighborhood near the old Evangeline Theatre site, while another 65 acres border the Baton Rouge Metropolitan Airport industrial buffer. Both locations fall under the East Baton Rouge Parish Planning Commission oversight and must follow the parish’s 2024 Unified Development Code updates on stormwater retention.

Applicants must meet household income limits set at 120 percent of area median or lower for priority scoring, with a maximum lot price of $192,000 for the first 90 parcels. The commission recorded 47 pre-applications in the first week, according to its July 7 public log.

Eligibility rules

Qualified buyers include Baton Rouge residents who have lived in the parish for at least 18 months, active-duty military stationed at nearby bases, and certified small developers with fewer than 15 completed units in the past five years. Nonprofits tied to the Capital Area Affordable Housing Alliance receive an automatic 15-point bonus in the scoring system. Commercial speculators and out-of-state LLCs without local partners are barred from the initial round.

Application steps

Interested parties must submit proof of residency, income verification, and a preliminary site plan through the parish’s online portal by August 15. Staff will host two in-person workshops at the Main Library on Goodwood Boulevard on July 18 and July 25. Approved applicants receive 90 days to close and begin construction or transfer to an approved builder. Those seeking further details can contact the Planning Commission office at 222 St. Louis Street for packet materials.

This article is general information only and is not personal financial or investment advice. Consider your own circumstances and seek licensed professional advice before making financial decisions.