St. Tammany Parish Faces Severe Shortage of Affordable Starter Homes

Independent housing study reveals growing need for lower-priced units to support local workforce

Apr. 13, 2026 at 3:07pm

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A minimalist studio photograph featuring a polished concrete block, chrome house key, and architectural blueprints, symbolizing the abstract issues of housing supply and development in St. Tammany Parish.An abstract still life representing the complex challenges of housing supply and affordability facing St. Tammany Parish.Slidell Today

A new housing study commissioned by St. Tammany Parish officials has revealed a severe shortage of affordable starter homes, with estimates that the parish will need between 11,500 and 17,300 new housing units by 2030 to keep up with population growth. The study found that 43% of lower-income workers in the parish currently commute from other areas due to the lack of accessible housing options, costing local employers in high turnover rates and lost tax revenue.

Why it matters

The shortage of affordable starter homes in St. Tammany Parish has become a major obstacle to retaining the local workforce and attracting new businesses. Without sufficient housing options for entry-level and middle-income residents, the parish risks losing out on economic growth and tax revenue as workers are forced to live outside the area.

The details

The housing study found that the median home price in St. Tammany Parish has skyrocketed to nearly $300,000, putting starter homes out of reach for many first-time and lower-income buyers. Even a modest entry-level home now costs over $200,000, requiring a monthly mortgage payment of around $1,700. The parish currently has only 23% of its housing units listed as rentals, well below the state and national averages of 35%. To address the shortage, the study recommends that 75% of the needed 11,500 to 17,300 new housing units should be either rentals or small-lot, single-family homes.

  • The housing study was commissioned by St. Tammany Parish officials in 2022.
  • The parish is expected to grow by nearly 300,000 residents in the next 5 years.
  • The parish needs between 11,500 and 17,300 new housing units by 2030 to keep up with projected population growth.

The players

St. Tammany Parish

The local government entity responsible for overseeing housing and development policies in the parish.

Jeff Corbin

A St. Tammany Parish Councilman who has been heavily involved in infrastructure and housing issues.

Arthur Laughlin

A St. Tammany Parish Councilman who believes the parish should take a more active role in providing infrastructure to support new housing development.

Mike Cooper

The St. Tammany Parish President who proposed and supported a parish-wide building moratorium in 2022.

Pat Miramon

A longtime St. Tammany homebuilder who has advocated for smaller, more affordable lot sizes to enable lower-priced starter homes.

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What they’re saying

“We have so many workers driving in from other areas and that situation costs our employers a fortune because it leads to a lot of turnovers.”

— Jeff Corbin, St. Tammany Parish Councilman

“St. Tammany has grown too fast and furiously and we never had a good plan laid out for these needs.”

— Arthur Laughlin, St. Tammany Parish Councilman

“As we attract new businesses and corporate offices who bring jobs to our community, one of the first questions is if we have housing available to meet the needs of their employees. We want businesses to thrive and our children to be able to work and live in St. Tammany.”

— Mike Cooper, St. Tammany Parish President

What’s next

Parish officials are reviewing the housing study's recommendations and exploring ways to incentivize the development of more affordable starter homes and rental units, including potential infrastructure investments and zoning changes. However, addressing the shortage will be a long-term process that will require overcoming public resistance to new growth.

The takeaway

The severe shortage of affordable starter homes in St. Tammany Parish has become a major obstacle to retaining the local workforce and attracting new businesses. Addressing this crisis will require a concerted effort by parish leaders to support new housing construction, particularly in the lower-to-middle income price ranges, in order to ensure the parish can continue to grow and thrive.