Webb Park Apartments is the first Section 811 multifamily project in the State of Mississippi specifically designed for persons with physical disabilities that impair their mobility. The Jackson, MS development was designed and constructed to accommodate persons who must use wheelchairs - all other Section 811 projects in the State were designed and constructed for persons with mental or developmental disabilities and did not require Webb Park's accessibility design and equipment.

The development was opened late last month by the Mississippi Multifamily Program Center in conjunction with Mississippi Methodist Accessible Housing, Inc., a nonprofit organization of the Methodist Rehabilitation Center. Co-sponsors of Webb Park Apartments include Mississippi Methodist Rehabilitation Center, Inc. and Accessible Space, Inc., with Southern Management Group managing the property.

SEATED LEFT TO RIGHT: John H. Webb, Jr., Vice-Chairman of the Board, Mississippi Methodist Accessible Housing, Inc.; Thomas A. Turner, Chairman of the Board, Mississippi Methodist Accessible Housing, Inc. STANDING LEFT TO RIGHT: David Piltz, Accessible Space, Inc.; Mark A. Adams, President and Chief Executive Officer, Mississippi Methodist Rehabilitation Center, Inc.; Paula B. Carruth, Director, Jackson Multifamily Program Center; Jimmy Ware, Director, Jackson Medical Education District; Patricia A. Hoban-Moore, State Coordinator, Mississippi State Office.

The festive day included remarks by John H. Webb, Jr., a longtime Methodist Rehabilitation Center Board member for whom the apartments were named, and Patricia A. Hoban-Moore, State Coordinator of the Mississippi HUD Office. A tour of the attractive and fully accessibility facility followed. Steve Hope, President of Mississippi Methodist Accessible Housing, officiated at the grand opening.

In her remarks, HUD State Coordinator Pat Hoban-Moore said that the State of Mississippi does not have other independent living apartments for persons with physical disabilities, and Webb Apartments and other complexes like it are needed to allow people who depend on wheelchairs for mobility to live more independent lives.

This independent living facility will provide housing for 18 very low-income persons. Residents living there have experienced spinal cord injury, traumatic brain injury, cerebral palsy, or muscular dystrophy.

HUD awarded $1,918,200 to the co-sponsors for the construction of Webb Park and is providing rental assistance to the residents. The co-sponsors worked in partnership with the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas to provide an additional $95,000 for the construction of the project.