Make Your HOME in Jackson, Mississippi

Every young man wants his own place, where he can host his friends and family, play his own music and watch all the sports he wants. Several years ago, a young Jackson, Mississippi, resident Micah Miller decided it would be good to have his own place, but he also made up his mind that he wanted to be a homeowner.

Micah Miller (in the middle) with family and friends

Micah's intellectual disability was recognized when he was 2 years old, and he began special education services at 3. Micah is a high school and community college graduate; he enjoys his job and doesn't mind overtime. At the time he decided to purchase a home in 2008, Micah had been employed for four years at his job at the dietary department. He had bought his own car and had a tidy sum in his savings account.

Micah is an independent person who has a clear understanding of personal finances, and he had a goal. "Micah, his father and I discussed apartment costs versus homeownership, and Micah decided he wanted to own his own home," said his mother, Shirley Miller.

Micah was assisted in becoming a homeowner through the City of Jackson HOME Investment Partnership, a project of the Institute for Disability Studies (IDS) at The University of Southern Mississippi. Micah attended a homebuyer education class in fall 2008 and obtained an approval from a local lender. Through IDS he also had a person-centered planning session with his family and IDS staff, which included a housing counselor and a social worker. Micah set personal goals and stayed focused on his goal of homeownership.

Working with a realtor, Micah found the home he wanted to purchase in 2009, signing a contract in January and purchasing the house in February. Because he qualified for two grants, Micah didn't have to use his savings for the down payment. Now, 29, Micah has been a homeowner for over two years. On Saturdays, Micah does his yard work. He likes walking in his neighborhood. He attends choir rehearsal, works out at the Y, and likes to entertain family and friends by grilling out in his backyard.

Micah's goal of homeownership has been a success, but his story is just one of 64 success stories about people with disabilities and their families who have become proud homeowners in the city of Jackson since the IDS/City of Jackson HOME partnership was formed in 2002.

Successful in assisting people with disabilities and their families statewide in becoming homeowners through its Mississippi Home of Your Own (HOYO) program since 1997, IDS has been pleased to partner with the Office of Housing and Community Development, Development Assistance Division of the City of Jackson on this city specific project.

"IDS embraces community inclusion and welcomes the opportunity to assist HOYO borrowers in building wealth through homeownership," said Cassie Hicks, coordinator of housing at IDS.

The City of Jackson HOME Partnership project helps individuals with disabilities and families who have a family member with a disability living with them to locate safe and affordable permanent homeownership within the city limits of Jackson. IDS assists these potential homebuyers with disabilities and families through the homeownership process. The City of Jackson provides grants of up to $15,000 to qualified borrowers to help with the down payment, closing costs, and the principal reduction of the mortgage to make the monthly house payment more affordable.

The funding provided to the homeowner by the City of Jackson is from HUD HOME funds awarded to increase homeownership for the low to moderate income homebuyer in the city limits of Jackson. Through the HOME Investment Partnership project, IDS partners with the Mississippi Regional Housing Authority Region VI, faith-based groups like Habitat for Humanity of Jackson, several Jackson area lenders, realtors, disability organizations, and other private and nonprofit housing groups.

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