(The Center Square) — The Caddo Parish Commission could redirect tax revenue it receives from sports betting to address blight issues in Shreveport.
The introduction of Ordinance 6525 seeks to allocate 50% of income generated from sports betting (about $100,000) to the E. Edward Jones Housing Trust Fund to to combat blight.
It also will amend the current budgets for the E. Edward Jones Housing Trust Fund and the General Fund for the sports betting revenues.
However, there were some issues among citizens and commissioners concerning the wording of the ordinance and the specific amount being allocated from the budget.
“I had an issue or a concern let’s say that it’s asking for 50% of the income generated from the parish share of sports wagering receipts and those funds are to go to the E. Edward Jones Housing Trust Fund to address blight,” Longtime resident and frequent council meeting attendee John Glover said.
Glover questioned what the 50% means in dollar amounts.
According to the parish budget, total gaming revenues represent 1.4% of the total $143 million outlay or nearly $1.5 million.
The ongoing issue of blight in Shreveport and primarily the Highland neighborhood is a priority for residents who attend the council meetings. The city has a problem with squatters, vagrants and trespassing on vacant properties, some of which are not blighted but historic homes being renovated.
Glover suggested the funds go to the Public Works Division where it can be used for roads, property standards or blight.
“I believe our Public Works Department is adequately funded already. So we don’t need $100,000 extra in the Property Standards at this time for Parish Property Standards work but we do have a Housing Trust Fund that we can use that was set up by this Commission to develop and improve housing that is affordable shelter for the people of Caddo Parish,” said Commissioner John-Paul Young in response to Glover’s concerns. “That fund currently has about $800,000, I believe.”
Commissioner John Atkins and a few others on the council are concerned with the new ordinance.
“I do have some concerns about us getting into the business of refurbishing houses within the city. I think that’s kind of a slippery slope to get on. To me, it’s not a money problem as much as it is a processing problem and a legal problem,” said Commissioner Atkins.
Parish Administrator Erica Bryant noted that they expect $200,000 in video poker and sports gaming revenue for 2025, so they are amending the budget to allocate $100,000 to the Housing Trust Fund and leave $100,000 in the General Fund. The agenda in place, however, reads $75,000 for allocation, so many are seeking clarity on the budget.
Commissioner Ron Cothran urged the council to designate a specific number so citizens know what is being set apart. Commissioner Steffon Jones also raised concerns about how the sports gaming revenue could differ year to year depending on who is involved.
The Legislature legalized sports betting in 2020 and now each parish gets a share of those dollars.
“If you choose to bet your hard earned money on gambling or sports, that’s what you choose to do and there are revenues that come from that and we receive them. We take them, and try to do things to create change with it,” said Jones.
The parish already receives this money, but it currently goes to the General Fund. Now, 50% is being proposed to go into the new fund source.
“We have a lot of unhoused people in our parish right now and the problem in many areas has become acute. It is my hope that we can use this funding source to replenish our affordable housing trust funds,” said Commissioner Young in support of the ordinance introduction.
With the overall discussion bringing questions from both residents and commissioners, Commission President Stormy Gage-Watts motioned to move the introduction of the ordinance to the Long Range Planning Committee for further discussion.
According to Watts, Bloomberg is working with Shreveport to address blight and there is reportedly an active grant which will be dedicated to addressing blight in the parish.
