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For Mylinda Smith and Jerome Comier, home has always been rooted in Baton Rouge. Best friends for decades, they are known in their neighborhood for their hospitality, shared meals, and a standing invitation that often begins on the porch and ends in the kitchen. Mylinda’s homemade cakes are a local favorite, often carried from house to house as a simple gesture of connection.
Since moving into Hollywood Heights in November 2023, that sense of connection has continued. Their days include familiar routines, time with neighbors, and the comfort of living in a community designed for seniors. For them, this stage of life is shaped by consistency, relationships, and a setting that supports both independence and interaction.
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Hollywood Heights and Hollywood Acres are a 90-unit affordable housing development for adults 55 and older in North Baton Rouge. The project reflects a substantial reinvestment in an area that has experienced years of limited development, bringing new housing and renewed activity to the neighborhood.
“We’re talking about an area that’s been disinvested over a course of decades. So, any time you have the ability to bring tens of millions of dollars to a community, that’s something that should be considered,” J. Wesley Daniels, Jr., CEO of Partners Southeast, said.*
Developed through a collaboration between The Banyan Foundation, an Alabama-based nonprofit, and Partners Southeast, a Louisiana affordable housing developer, the community represents a coordinated effort to expand housing options for seniors in Baton Rouge.
The community held its grand opening on February 14, 2025, Valentine's Day, marked by a ribbon-cutting ceremony that brought together project partners, residents, and local stakeholders. Residents had begun moving in as early as November 2023.
"People are so accustomed to developers coming in and leaving, and so we have a stigma that is put on us until we prove them wrong. They want to make sure we're going to be here; they were telling us we want to make sure this is our home for a long time,” said Rob Coats, President and CEO of The Banyan Foundation. “So with that and with the communication and collaboration, it turned out to be something that everybody can be proud of."*
The community includes one- and two-bedroom duplex homes starting at 934 square feet, designed to balance cost, durability, and day-to-day livability. Rent is calculated on a tax credit basis according to resident income, making the community accessible to seniors with limited fixed incomes.
The development required significant financial investment and coordination, supporting job creation during construction while contributing to the long-term stability of the surrounding area.
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DNA Workshop led the design with a focus on cost, consistency, and livability. Using a single floor plan, the team introduced five Creole shot-gun style façade variations drawn from New Orleans' architectural tradition to create visual interest while maintaining efficient construction methods. Standardized elements such as doors and windows were used throughout to help control costs without compromising the character of the development.
The homes were built to meet Louisiana Housing Corporation requirements, including expanded porch space that supports outdoor use and neighbor interaction. Energy Star-rated appliances and high-performance insulation contribute to long-term efficiency and lower operating costs, and the development achieved National Green Building Standard Bronze certification through close coordination between the design and construction teams.
Hollywood Heights and Hollywood Acres were funded as two separate developments through multiple Louisiana Housing Corporation programs, including the Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) program and Multifamily Housing Revenue Bonds. Each development also received $3.4 million in CDBG funds through the 2017 Restore Louisiana Flood Recovery program, administered by the Office of Community Development.
“TeamLHC is proud to celebrate Hollywood Heights and Acres, two new affordable housing developments for seniors 55+, each with 45 one- and two-bedroom units. Thanks to LHC and CDBG funding from Office of Community Development, these projects offer essential amenities like community facilities and a computer lab,” said the Louisiana Housing Corporation.**
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The layout of Hollywood Heights and Hollywood Acres was planned to support daily interaction. Green space, walking paths, front porches, and shared outdoor areas create opportunities for gathering, while a community building with an open kitchen provides space for events and informal connection. Porches in particular serve as everyday extensions of the home, used for meals, visits, and quiet time outdoors, helping establish a sense of familiarity and routine across the community.
“When it comes to designing any kind of development, it is definitely really crucial to take into consideration the needs of the population that you’re serving is going to require, especially when it does come to our seniors. Having an area where they can walk around, be able to go outside, be able to have a sense of community that not only optimizes their spaces but also gives them the proper tools and amenities in place to help them age has been a really vital component to any development that we are a part of,” said Bailey Coats, Development Manager of the Banyan Foundation.***
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All 90 duplexes are currently leased, with a waiting list of more than 400 applicants. The level of demand highlights the need for affordable senior housing in North Baton Rouge and the importance of developments that are designed with long-term use in mind. Located in a prime area, this community is conveniently close to local amenities, providing easy access to shopping, dining, and healthcare services.
Residents have personalized their homes with plants, seating, and small decorative elements. These individual touches contribute to a shared sense of pride and ownership across the neighborhood.
The development also demonstrates how targeted investment can support stability in areas that have historically seen less attention, while providing housing options that allow residents to remain in their community as they age.
“We love our seniors. They are our generational factors that really aid us in our development. So any time we have the ability to really service our seniors, our most vulnerable population, we couldn’t ask for a better day,” Daniels said.*
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For Mylinda and Jerome, Hollywood Heights is a place where long-standing friendships continue and new relationships form. Daily routines, shared meals, and time spent with neighbors shape their experience in meaningful ways.
"Thank God I'm here in this beautiful neighborhood" and "50 thousand times percent better. Better, better, better. Living arrangement, everything, the community, everything. Very safe, everything is very good over here," said Mylinda.
Their story reflects the broader impact of thoughtful housing development. When design, affordability, and community needs are considered together, the result is housing that supports both individuals and the neighborhoods around them.
**Louisiana Housing Corporation
***Louisiana Housing Corporation — LHC On Your Block, Hollywood Heights & Hollywood Acres
LAAHP was founded in 2006 for the purpose of encouraging affordable housing in Louisiana on behalf of its members by advocating sustainable policies and regulations, providing educational opportunities and events, and promoting its members interests.
