The following video message from Secretary Donovan provides more information about the Affordable Care Act and its importance to the people HUD serves, HUD employees, and friends and family.

Helping the more than 48 million Americans who are currently uninsured has been a priority for President Obama. Many of those uninsured individuals are low-income Americans that rely on HUD services; that is why HUD committed to our mission of building strong and healthy communities across the country and promoting information about the Affordable Care Act with the people we serve.

The Affordable Care Act that President Obama signed into law in 2010 has – and will continue to go a long way in helping us achieve this mission and will benefit working families gain access to quality care, while strengthening their financial future.

Let’s all do our part to help build healthy communities, and share information with others and urge them to enroll at healthcare.gov – or by calling a hotline that is available in more than 140 languages at 1-800-318-2596.

Ms. Dianne Sharp may have a cast on her arm but the smile on her face and her love of plants shows in the beautiful array of flora she has growing for all to enjoy. Just pass by Ms. Dianne's place and you will be smiling too - Congrats and thanks for sharing!  

Mr. Numa Lorio is our number one pick for December 2013 - Yard of the Month Award. If only you could see all the rest of his yard and lovely plants on his back patio, you would know why he is a green thumb aficionado in our book!

Mr. Numa Lorio is the resident to thank for the beautification on Guzzetta Drive, the rock garden he is sculpting is lovely.

Thanks so much to North Bank Towing for donating 3 turkeys which were given away at our luncheon on November 21, 2013.  Mr. Clarence Robinson our Executive Director is pictured with Veronica Turner, Joyce Gates and Margaret Becker the very lucky winners. Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

St. Mary Community Action Agency

Homebuyer’s Education Classes

St. Mary Community Action Agency is offering free classes to those who are interested in becoming a home owner. The classes are held every Monday evening at St. Mary Community Action Agency, 1407 Barrow Street, Franklin, LA at 6:00 p.m.

There is no limit for class sizes and residents who completes the five-class session will receive a certificate as proof to lenders they have had training in how to be a responsible buyer and homeowner. The information is very valuable and topics will include; how to shop for the right home, understanding your credit report, types of mortgage loans, buying vs. renting, budgets, savings and more.

The class will also offer valuable information in regards to a new project for homeowners which will be located on Easy Street in Franklin, LA.

For more information about the homebuyers classes, call Jeffery Beverly or Andrea Broussard at (337)828-5703.