During the Civil War, much of the City was burned and growth afterwards was slow. In 1900, Jackson had 7,000 residents, but in 1990 the City had grown to a population of 196,637. In land area, the City has grown from .18 square miles in 1822 to over 110.12 square miles. A pending annexation in south Jackson could add 24.3 square miles and an estimated 5,377 persons.

Action Plan

The City of Jackson's Consolidated Plan includes a one-year Action Plan for the expenditure of $3,918,000 in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds (plus $90,000 in program income), $1,257,000 in HOME funds, and $155,000 in Emergency Shelter Grant funds.

Citizen Participation

On July 14, 1995, the City adopted a citizen participation plan in compliance with the requirements of the regulations governing the submission of the Consolidated Plan. Citizens were offered an extensive opportunity to comment on the proposed Plan for the stabilization and revitalization of the City's housing stock, meeting the needs of the homeless, and in the area of community development. The City held two public hearings - one on May 8, 1995, and another on June 26, 1995. The draft Plan was made available at various locations for review and public comment was accepted for a 30-day period.

The City has a city-wide poverty rate of 22.7 percent. The City's racial characteristiics includeapopulation that is 55.75 % African-American, 45.57% White, and less than 1% Asian, American Indian, or other. Female-headed households represent 20% of the population. Approximately 14% of the population is elderly.

Conditions

The median family income in 1990 was $31,575. Based upon this figure, 30% of all households have incomes between 0-50% of median and 17% are between 51-80 % of median and thus qualify as low and moderate-income persons. The unemployment rate is approximately 8.8 %.

Housing Needs

The City identified several housing needs as follows:

1. Lack of affordable housing for all household sizes;
2. Large number of substandard owner and renter units;
3. Need for increased homeownership;
4. Need for housing and supportive services for the homeless and special needs population.

Market Conditions

The City has an uncharacteristically high number of substandard housing units for both homeowners and renters. It has been estimated that 8,750 units are substandard or 12% of the City's 74,137 housing units with an additional 400 per year falling into this category. About 3,500 of these are vacant and many are not suitable for rehabilitation. The City proposes to undertake an active demolition program to eliminate sites that are both physically dangerous and potential sources of crime. There is a demonstrated need for additional standard rental housing.

Affordable Housing Needs

The City has determined that there is a severe cost burden on many rental households, especially elderly one and two person households.

Homeless Needs

As the State's largest City, it naturally has the largest homeless population. While single adults are the largest contingent of homeless, the fastest growing segment of the homeless is families with children. There are only two shelters available to serve this segment. Housing and supportive services to assist the mentally ill, chronic drug and alcohol abusers, HIV/AIDS population, and children are particularly needed. Emergency assistance to prevent homelessness is very badly needed especially for the elderly and families with children. The City has formed a Homeless Task Force that meets regularly to coordinate activities to address these problems.

Public and Assisted Housing Needs

There are approximately 3,715 units of subsidized housing in the City of Jackson and only 58 or 1.6 percent are vacant. The Jackson Housing Authority (JHA) has an extensive waiting list for units and additional public housing is badly needed. All of the public housing units are considered to be in standard condition. The JHA manages 488 units of low rent public housing and 728 Section 8 units.

Barriers to Affordable Housing

The City has public policies such as zoning and subdivision ordinances, building codes, fees and taxes that are necessary to insure an acceptable urban living environment. The City does not feel that its fees and policies are excessive, especially when compared to other urban areas. There is vacant land dispersed throughout the City that is zoned for multi-family development. A new state law which became effective on July 1, 1995, permits the Jackson City Council to grant partial tax exemptions from municipal ad valorem taxes on real property. This exemption, for a maximum of 10 year, can be for rehabilitation, renovation or replacement for residential use.

Fair Housing

The City has certified that it will affirmatively further fair housing, which means that it will conduct an analysis of impediments to fair housing choice within it's jurisdiction and take appropriate actions to overcome the effects of any identified impediments.

Lead-Based Paint

According to the District Health Officer of the Mississippi Department of Health, there were 45 cases of lead poisoning in Hinds County that registered between levels of 15 and 44 MCGs. The City has determined that there are 26,316 housing units in the city that were constructed before 1978 and could contain lead-based paint. The City requires that all Federal regulations regarding lead-based paint are followed in its housing rehabilitation programs and in those of its subrecipients.

Community Development Needs

The City's primary concern is to improve the livability of neighborhoods. Objectives include improving the infrastructure in CDBG-eligible neighborhoods, developing partnerships with other economic development agencies to stimulate job creation and retention opportunities, and improving crime enforcement and public safety.

Coordination

The Development Assistance Division is responsible for the administration of HUD programs and preparation of the Consolidated Plan.

Vision for Change

The City will focus on housing rehabilitation, public infrastructure improvements, public services, first-time homebuyer assistance and economic development.

Housing Priorities

• Increase the supply of standard, affordable housing for single-family homeowners;
• Assist in funding the rehabilitation of investor owned properties;
• Encourage capacity building of CHDOs;
• Increase rental assistance to low income families and individuals;
• Promote homeownership opportunities;
• Improve housing conditions for large families, elderly persons and the disabled;
• Implement programs to increase energy efficiency for low income housing;
• Continue to assure that no policies contribute to the concentration of racial/ethic minorities;
• Minimize involuntary displacement.

Non-Housing Community Development Priorities

• Encourage and support neighborhood organizations and community-based non-profits;
• Focus revitalization efforts in Enterprise Community neighborhoods;
• Support historic preservation activities;
• Improve crime enforcement in low and moderate income neighborhoods;
• Rebuild infrastructure in CDBG eligible neighborhood revitalization areas;
• Develop and coordinate partnerships with other economic development agencies;
• Support vocational and job training programs;
• Continue to use minority and women owned businesses;
• Provide technical assistance to business development associations and micro enterprises.

Anti-Poverty Strategy

The City's strategy is to increase household income above the poverty level through economic development. The Office of Economic and Community Development was established in the City's Planning and Development Department to retain and attract businesses in the City. Working partnerships have been formed with the Jackson Redevelopment Authority, Capital Center, Inc., Chamber of Commerce and the Hinds County Economic Development District to promote downtown revitalization.

Housing and Community Development Resources

The City is fortunate to be an entitlement community in the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), HOME Investment partnership, and Emergency Shelter Grant (ESG) Programs. In partnership with private for profit and non-profit developers, non-profit service providers, and local lending institutions, the City expects to implement its strategic plan for development by leveraging the Federal funds it receives in the most advantageous manner.

Coordination of Strategic Plan

In order to coordinate and manage its housing efforts, the City will strive to develop a coordinated housing network. The City maintains contact with the housing authorities, housing development organizations, non-profit organizations which serve the homeless and/or other persons with special needs.

The City will conduct a wide variety of activities including housing rehabilitation, public infrastructure improvements, public services, first-time homebuyer assistance, and economic development. Specific activities are listed below:

Description of Key Projects

• Homeowner Rehabilitation activities - $950,000
  • Rehabilitation of 26 substandard homeowner units under a low interest or deferred loan program.

  • Emergency rehabilitation assistance to 80 units targeted to the elderly and disabled.

• First-time Homebuyers program - $1,057,000
  • Assist 100 first-time homebuyers with downpayment assistance.

• Rental Rehabilitation assistance - $662,734
  • Acquisition and rehabilitation of 90 units of rental housing

• Homeless Assistance - $280,029
  • Operation of four homeless shelters and provision of supportive housing.

• Supportive housing for persons with special needs and other special needs activities - $476,171
  • Upgrade literacy skills, provide job training for economically disadvantaged youth, provide daycare for severely handicapped children, assist with youth development activities, counsel victims of alcohol, drug and domestic abuse, and to provide fair housing counseling.

• Public facilities activities - $992,124

• Drainage, parks and recreational facilities, and other public infrastructure.

• Acquisition and demolition in support of housing and neighborhood stabilization - $500,000

• Economic development activities which includes support for a business loan and a microenterprise loan program - $72,440.

• Planning and administrative costs - $330,000.

• Contingency fund - $99,502.

Map Descriptions

MAP 1 depicts points of interest in the jurisdiction

MAP 2 depicts points of interest and minority concentration levels.

MAP 3 depicts points of interest and unemployment levels.

MAP 4 depicts points of interest, unemployment levels, and proposed HUD funded projects; in addition, a table provides information about the project(s).

MAP 5 depicts Enterprise Comminty information.

MAP 6 depicts Empowerment Zone\Enterprise Comminty information for the Eastern Portion.

MAP 7 depicts Empowerment Zone\Enterprise Comminty information for the Northern Portion.

MAP 8 depicts Empowerment Zone\Enterprise Comminty information for the Center Portion-West Half.

MAP 9 depicts Empowerment Zone\Enterprise Comminty information for the Center Portion-East Half.