Caddo Parish Commissioners reject temporary housing plan for data center workers
Caddo Parish Commissioners rejected a plan to provide temporary housing for data center construction workers. Legal counsel advised the parish lacks the power to regulate such "man camps" without changes to its master plan. Commissioner Jon John Paul Young expressed concerns about thousands of incoming workers overwhelming neighborhoods.
The Caddo Parish Commissioners recently voted to reject a plan aimed at providing temporary housing for data center construction workers. The decision was influenced by legal counsel, who informed the commissioners that they currently do not possess the authority to regulate these so-called "man camps" without first amending the parish's master plan.
Commissioner Jon John Paul Young voiced significant concerns regarding the potential impact of thousands of incoming workers on local neighborhoods. He highlighted that if these workers are not sourced from nearby areas, they will require temporary accommodation. Young referenced Richland Parish as an example, where the temporary worker population has ranged from 3,000 to 5,000, underscoring the substantial housing demand such projects create.
Young emphasized the necessity of establishing clear, common-sense regulations for these temporary housing sites. Despite these arguments and the acknowledged need for housing solutions, the plan was ultimately rejected by a vote of 7 to 5.