March 27, 2025. National Affordable Housing Trust (NAHT) is proud to announce the financing of Benoit Townhomes in Lake Charles, Louisiana was successfully completed. This was done in partnership with Renaissance Neighborhood Development Corporation (RNDC), a collaboration between Volunteers of America National Services and Volunteers of America Southeast Louisiana, and an investment from UnitedHealth Group.The property includes new construction totaling over $25.5 million, including nearly $8 million from Low Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC).
Benoit Townhomes consists of 78 units, within 13 5-plex, 6-plex, and 7-plex buildings, serving families at 20% to 80% AMI in Lake Charles, Louisiana. Benoit Townhomes will bring much needed housing to the Lake Charles community, which was devastated by two hurricanes in 2020, Hurricane Laura and Hurricane Delta.
“NAHT is incredibly proud to be a partner in this development, along with impact investor UnitedHealth Group and RNDC,” said Paul Cummings, SVP of National Affordable Housing Trust. “Creating high quality affordable housing anywhere today is difficult but it is a credit to RNDC and all of the partners that they are doing this in a community with such tremendous need. We look forward to seeing this development completed and with all of the families moved in.”
Benoit Townhomes will provide permanently affordable rental housing to families. 82% of the units will be family-sized two- and three-bedroom units, and the balance will be one-bedroom units. Fourteen units will be rent assisted with Project Based Section 8 Vouchers, out of which four will provide Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH). VOA South Central Louisiana will provide resident services. The Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) Office of Aging and Adult Services will provide supportive services to the PSH households. Financing includes $7.9 million of LIHTC + 45L tax credits, a $13.3 million CDBG Disaster Recovery loan, $13 million in short-term tax-exempt bonds and a $3.64 million FHA 221(d)(4) Permanent Loan.
“We appreciate NAHT and UnitedHealth Group’s investment in Benoit Townhomes, reinforcing the vital link between housing and health. As the housing arm of Volunteers of America Southeast Louisiana, Renaissance Neighborhood Development Corporation develops workforce housing while connecting residents with services to support housing stability,” said Vaness Levine, Executive Director of Renaissance Neighborhood Development Corporation. “UnitedHealth Group’s LIHTC investment demonstrates a strong commitment to housing as a social driver of health, and we look forward to continued partnerships that create lasting community impact.”
“At UnitedHealth Group, we recognize that access to safe, affordable housing has a strong correlation with improved health and community vitality,” said Karl Lirette, CEO of UnitedHealthcare Community Plan of Louisiana, part of UnitedHealth Group. “We are honored to help address affordable housing needs, and in doing so, improve access to health services that can improve outcomes.”
About Renaissance Neighborhood Development Corporation (RNDC)
Renaissance Neighborhood Development Corporation (RNDC) is a subsidiary of Volunteers of America. RNDC was formed as a 501(c)3 organization in October 2006 to develop workforce housing in response to the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina. To date, RNDC has developed more than 1,000 units of rental housing in Louisiana serving individuals and families. The majority of RNDC’s housing has been financed with the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) Program and focuses on households earning up to 80% of Area Median Income (AMI).
About Volunteers of America National Services
Volunteers of America National Services (VOANS), a subsidiary of Volunteers of America, Inc. provides affordable housing and healthcare services in over 40 states and in Puerto Rico. The organization employs over 2,000 dedicated staff who provide high quality services and care to clients. As one of the largest non-profit affordable housing owners/operators in the nation, the VOANS portfolio includes over 240 properties and 15,000 affordable housing units. VOANS also operates senior healthcare programs, including independent living, assisted living, memory care, short-term rehabilitation, skilled nursing care, home health care, and Programs for all Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE). Learn more at www.voans.org.
About NAHT
National Affordable Housing Trust (NAHT) is a nonprofit low-income housing tax credit (LIHTC) syndicator, specialized financial intermediary, and development advisory firm. As a mission-first syndicator, NAHT strategically partners with developers and investors to create and preserve affordable, quality rental homes that promote thriving and resilient communities. NAHT is a joint venture of LIIF (Low Income Investment Fund) and SAHF (Stewards of Affordable Housing for the Future).
For media inquiries, contact Heather Holland, hholland@naht.org, 614-917-2864