Louisiana Voters to Decide on Property Tax Amendment

The proposed Constitutional Amendment 10 would grant tax exemptions for the rehabilitation of blighted properties.

Updated on Oct. 20, 2026 in City Hall

Isometric editorial illustration of a wooden house structure under renovation, representing policy for rehabilitating blighted property. — Louisiana voters will decide the fate of Constitutional Amendment 10, a proposal intended to incentivize the rehabilitation of blighted properties statewide. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Live Poll

Should local governments offer property tax exemptions to encourage the rehabilitation of blighted properties?

Louisiana voters will head to the polls during the upcoming election to decide on Constitutional Amendment 10. The measure aims to incentivize the restoration of abandoned properties across the state.

Why it matters

The amendment is designed to encourage private investment in neglected housing, with the goal of improving neighborhood property values and long-term tax revenues for local municipalities.

Constitutional Amendment 10 allows parishes to offer a property tax exemption of up to 75% for up to 20 years on rehabilitated structures. To qualify, properties must be on an official parish blighted list and meet local housing codes.

The players

Chance Henry

He is a State Representative in Louisiana who introduced the measure to enable municipal tax exemptions for rehabilitated properties.

The details

State Representative Chance Henry introduced the measure to empower municipalities to grant these specific tax breaks. Developers who take on the rehabilitation of blighted properties will be required to meet local housing standards to secure the relief.

Voters will decide on Constitutional Amendment 10 during the upcoming election.

Political Context

Legislative proposals like this often face scrutiny from opponents who raise concerns regarding the impact on local government revenue streams. Critics typically argue that tax exemptions reduce the available funding for public services, pushing the tax burden onto other property owners.

If the amendment passes, property owners near blighted sites may see property values rise as vacant buildings are renovated. Conversely, the policy shifts municipal tax burdens, potentially altering long-term tax obligations for residents in participating parishes.

The takeaway

This amendment represents a shift toward using tax policy as a primary lever for local urban renewal. Residents should evaluate whether the projected improvement in property values outweighs the potential reduction in immediate tax revenue for their local districts.