Usually, the addition of a new home to a neighborhood is greeted as something good, viewed as a benefit to the others as it could increase property values.

That’s not the case in Shreveport, Louisiana.

A manufactured home in the city’s Highland neighborhood is getting some attention from upset residents.

According to KTBS, the city investigated the property in light of the complaints, and found out the home was moved into the lot without city permits.

And residents in the Fairfield historic district, adjacent to the Highland community, are taking to social media and reaching out to the city council about the house that suddenly popped up in their neck of the woods, and appears out of place.

One of the challenges, residents say, is that it looks like a manufactured home, but based on its foundation and wooden frame it doesn’t fall into that category.

The other issue is about how it’s facing the road. Unlike other homes in the area, the home is sideways.

“If I’m trying to sell a house on that block and people have to walk by this very unattractive, out of place structure– they will be less willing to pay the same price if they can buy a similar house in another neighborhood that didn’t have that problem,” said Tom Arceneaux, President of the Highland Restoration Association.

“It could affect property values in the area.”

After receiving a number of complaints, Councilman Jeff Everson discovered the home was moved to Shreveport from Sabine Parish in Converse, Louisiana without a permit.

But the owner, who has been unreachable for comment, told Everson that she does not acknowledge wrongdoing.

“She expressed that it may not be the business of her neighbors if she had a permit or not, but it is–to be in compliance with city laws. Everyone has to do that. It’s nothing personal,” said Everson.

“No property can be hooked up to utilities without a city permit.”

Everson says that the city’s permitting and licensing office has reached out to the responsible parties, and once the owner files for a city permit, then the city has to assess the property to make sure it doesn’t violate city zoning laws.

For more on manufactured housing and its impact on neighborhoods in Louisiana, including the case of a proposed MHC in Iberia Parish, Louisiana, click here. ##

 

(Image credits are as shown above.)

 

Submitted by RC Williams to the Daily Business News for MHProNews.