Bogalusa Rebirth, a nonprofit Community Housing Development Organization (CHDO) committed to
revitalizing neighborhoods and expanding affordable homeownership in Washington Parish, was recognized by Enterprise Community Partners as a model grantee for its outstanding use of Section 4 Capacity Building funds to drive measurable community impact.
As part of Enterprise’s national Solutions Academy Training Session, Executive Director Wendy Dupont was invited to present before more than 115 participants to highlight how Section 4 support has strengthened the organization’s internal capacity, expanded staffing, and directly advanced racial equity and affordable housing outcomes across Bogalusa.
"We were honored to be spotlighted as an example of what can happen when community-based organizations receive the right tools and technical support," said Wendy Dupont, of Bogalusa Rebirth. "Enterprise’s investment in our growth has been instrumental in transforming our organization’s reach, operations, and impact. Section 4 funding built the foundation that made everything else possible."
Since becoming a federally certified CHDO in 2017, Bogalusa Rebirth has received a total of $429,486 in direct support from Enterprise Community Partners through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Section 4 Capacity Building Program. This total includes $229,486 in capacity grants between 2019 and 2025, along with two recoverable pre-development grants of $100,000 each supporting new housing initiatives. These funds are leveraged with millions of dollars in HUD HOME funds allocated by the Louisiana Housing Corporation.
These strategic investments have:
• Expanded staff capacity through the hiring of a Homebuyer Coordinator and administrative support.
• Funded technology upgrades, including a public applicant portal and digital infrastructure for operational efficiency.
• Supported professional consulting and financial systems improvements, including certified accounting, strategic & disaster related planning, and succession planning.
• Enabled access to pre-development financing that advanced multiple single-family housing projects for low- to moderate-income buyers.
Founded in 2007 by ED Dupont, Bogalusa Rebirth has evolved from a volunteer-led initiative into a leading regional housing provider. The organization focuses on neighborhood stabilization, blight remediation, and affordable homeownership opportunities, with over 90% of its home sales serving African American families, directly advancing racial equity and closing the local homeownership gap.
"Enterprise’s partnership allows us to turn capacity into opportunity," Dupont added. "Their support has helped us build homes, create hope, and empower families who have been historically locked out of homeownership. It’s proof that strategic investment in local organizations can change the trajectory of entire communities. It is a privilege to be recognized as a champion Section 4 Advocate by their national organization for our work."
Enterprise Community Partners, a national leader in affordable housing and community development, administers Section 4 funds on behalf of HUD to strengthen nonprofit developers and community organizations nationwide. Their mission is to make good homes possible and build equitable, resilient communities which align closely with Bogalusa Rebirth’s long-term vision for a thriving Bogalusa where every family has the opportunity to build wealth and stability through homeownership.
Bogalusa Rebirth is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization. Donations are tax-deductible. The organization accepts monetary donations and real estate donations. The organization partners with local, state, and federal agencies to promote equitable development, restore community pride, and expand the city’s tax base through sustainable housing initiatives.
Contact: Wendy Dupont, Executive Director, Bogalusa Rebirth; Phone: (985) 735-SAVE (7283); Email: SaveBogalusa@bellsouth.net; Website: www.BogalusaRebirth.com
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