Mississippi is preparing for the next century with the state in a constant mode of change and most economic indicators pointing to positive change. The legalization of gaming casinos in 1992 has boosted the state's economy, bring welcome new jobs and higher wages. However, with a base statistic of the lowest per capita income in the United States, affordable housing remains as one of Mississippi's greatest needs.
The state's tremendous needs in housing and community development are the legacy of an earlier impoverished era. Prior to the urban center migration, a large percentage of the housing stock in the rural areas had no plumbing and no electricity. The counties had no building or housing codes, and as a result, substandard housing units were built and deteriorating conditions allowed to exist. Employment was principally connected to agriculture and largely seasonal and low paying. Not until 1983 was compulsory education in existence. Thus, a long-standing trend existed in Mississippi of having a large percentage of the population under-educated, unemployed or in low paying jobs, and living in substandard housing. Hundreds of dilapidated housing units have been demolished, but thousands of families are still living in substandard housing. The Mississippians left behind are the elderly, the uneducated, the jobless, and their offspring.
The State of Mississippi's Consolidated Plan includes a one-year Action Plan for the expenditure of $39,070,000 in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds, $12,263,000 in HOME funds, and $1,545,000 in Emergency Shelter Grant funds to be used to improve or increase the housing, infrastructure, and economic development of its towns, cities, and counties.
The Mississippi Department of Economic and Community Development began the development of the Consolidated One-Year Action Plan with a meeting on October 24, 1995, of the Consolidated Plan Task Force which was originally formed in 1993. This Task Force consisted of state agencies which addressed housing needs with their areas of expertise, private consultants, and non-profit organizations. The State published an announcement of the Public Hearing on October 17, 1995 and October 20, 1995 to receive citizen input on the development of the State's 1996 One-Year Action Plan. The State also sent notices to local units of government and other interested parties through the CSD instruction process. The Public Hearing was held on November 1, 1995 at the Ramada Coliseum, Greymont Street, Jackson at 6:00 p.m.
On November 16, 1995, the State published a Summary of the One-Year Action
Plan in the Jackson Clarion-Ledger and approximately 650 notices were sent to
local elected officials, individuals, companies, State agencies, Planning and
Development Districts, and those persons who had requested to be on the State's
mailing list. These notices were distributed to make the Draft One-Year Action
Plan available for public examination and comment for 30 days. At the end of
the comment period, all comments were considered by the State. These comments
were compiled, and a response was prepared to each.
The racial breakdown of Mississippi's population is 63% White, 35% Black,
and less than 2% Asian, Native American, or other. Forty-five percent (45%) of
all households in Mississippi are classified as low income and very-low income.
The median family income in 1990 was $22,100. Based upon this figure, 29% of all households have incomes between 0% and 50% of median, and 16% are between 51% and 80% of median, thus qualifying as low and moderate-income persons. The unemployment rate is approximately 8.8%.
The State identified several housing needs as follows:
There are 1,010,443 housing units in the State of Mississippi, of which 911,374 are occupied, leaving a balance of 99,069 vacant housing units. Owner occupied housing units appear to be the preferred choice of Mississippians, with 651,612 being owner occupied (78%), while 259,762 housing units are renter occupied (22%).
The 99,069 vacant units consist of 27,647 housing units for rent and 11,752 housing units for sale. The balance of the units, or 59,670, are in the category of "Other," which includes second homes, substandard units, and boarded-up units.
According to the National Association of Realtors, the median value for single family, apartment, condominium, and cooperative units in Mississippi in May, 1993 was $43,000. The owner median value per housing unit in Mississippi according to the 1990 Census of Housing was $46,320. The State median rent in 1990 was $213.00 per month.
Based on the population increase of 52,578 persons from 1980 to 1990 and using the median persons per unit figure of 2.4 persons, a demand for an additional 21,907 housing units was created by 1990. Persons living in substandard units also create a demand for standard units. One characteristic of substandard housing is overcrowding. According to the 1990 census, 5.8% of Mississippi's housing units or 58,604 units were overcrowded. These households are candidates for larger standard units, thus creating another demand for affordable housing. Yet another characteristic for substandard housing is a unit lacking complete plumbing facilities (of which there were 17,694 units according to the 1990 census), thus creating an additional demand for affordable housing.
The State has determined that there are numerous and varied housing needs, but impediments make obtaining affordable housing a problem. The most glaring impediment is the financial inability of households to secure standard affordable housing. Income levels simply preclude households in many areas of the State from accessing affordable housing.
There are 35,000 homeless people in the State, of which 29% are in families and 71% are individuals. Most of these individuals are not served by shelters; they are either in the process of being evicted from dwelling units, lack the resources and support network needed to obtain housing, or live in places not meant for human habitation. The percentage of Black homeless persons in the State is similar to the poverty percentages for the State, are 60% minorities, 39% white, and less than 1% ethnic.
Public Housing Authorities, authorized by State law and created by the action of local units of government, provide traditional public housing and rent assistance, and also may be active in homeless services, and in providing counseling, recreation services, and job training opportunities for residents.
Considering the fact that the State of Mississippi has the lowest per capita income in the United States, it is a generally accepted fact that to have sufficient funds to provide services to all the low- and very low-income families is just not possible. Also, a lack of community involvement has been a barrier to affordable housing in most areas. However, statewide housing needs awareness programs are addressing these barriers, and hopefully improvements will be seen.
The State has certified that it will affirmatively further fair housing. The State used grant funds to conduct an analysis of impediments to fair housing choice within the jurisdiction, and appropriate actions to overcome the effects of identified impediments is planned.
Little is known about the extent of the hazard of lead-based paint in Mississippi or appropriate measures to take regarding lead-based paint. The State used grant funds for a study which made recommendations for State action on appropriate ways to use HOME funds and other federal funds to remove lead-based paint from housing. A strategy for meeting the requirements of Federal Lead-Based Paint Regulations will be developed at the conclusion of this study.
The State's primary concern is to improve the livability of communities. Objectives include improving the infrastructure in CDBG-eligible areas, and aiding in the development of viable communities which provide their residents decent housing, a suitable living environment, and economic opportunities.
The Community Services Division of the Mississippi Department of Economic
and Community Development is responsible for administration of HUD's housing and
community development programs and preparation of the Consolidated Plan.
The State will focus on homeowner housing rehabilitation, new construction of rental units and homeowner units, first-time homebuyer assistance, first-time homebuyer assistance, and economic development.
The State's strategy shall be to reduce the number of households with incomes below the poverty line by establishing anti-poverty policies for programs dealing with affordable housing and economic and community development. Criteria for competitive grant funds will be designed to address anti-poverty strategies. Childcare will be encouraged to allow single parents to participate in job training and educational programs. Counseling will be encouraged to address steps to be taken to overcome poverty. Self-help for rehabilitation of affordable housing will be encouraged and apprentice work for potential low-income household members will be promoted. Utilization of social services will be encouraged and financial planning for each household should be undertaken to establish objectives. Coordination among agencies to develop a program of activities that address poverty on a community basis will be promoted.
The State is fortunate to receive funds from the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), HOME Investment Partnership, Emergency Shelter Grant (ESG), and Housing for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA) programs. In partnership with private for profit and non-profit developers, non-profit service providers, CHDOs, and local lending institutions, the State expects to implement its strategic plan for development by leveraging the Federal funds it receives in the most advantageous manner.
In order to coordinate and manage the housing efforts, the State will strive
to develop an Interagency Task Force on Affordable Housing to work on common
issues and strategies. The Task Force will establish a meeting schedule and set
forth an agenda for addressing activities described in the Consolidated Plan.
The State will conduct a wide variety of activities including housing rehabilitation, public infrastructure improvements, first-time homebuyer assistance, and economic development. Specific activities are listed below:
CDBG PROGRAM ALLOCATION
Public Facilities $18,920,600
Regular $13,945,600
Small Municipality 4,475,000
Emergency 500,000
Economic Development $15,968,000
Economic Development Public Improvements
Economic Development Loan Program
Special Economic Development Activities
Section 108 Loan $ 500,000
Housing $ 2,800,000
Acquisition/Relocation 1,970,000
First-Time Homebuyer 830,000
Demonstration $ 500,000
State Administration $ 881,400
TOTAL ALLOCATION $39,070,000
Homeowner Rehabilitation $ 7,546,330
New Construction and Substantial Rental Rehabilitation 2,569,960
City of Hattiesburg 62,000
CHDO Set-Aside 1,839,450
State Administration 245,260
TOTAL ALLOCATION $12,263,000
Note: The State will reserve $1,226,300 for State and local administration, with not more than $245,260 designated for State Administration.
EMERGENCY SHELTER GRANT PROGRAM ALLOCATION Projects $ 1,467,750 State Administration 77,250 TOTAL ALLOCATION $ 1,545,000 HOUSING FOR PERSONS WITH AIDS (HOPWA) PROGRAM ALLOCATION TOTAL ALLOCATION $ 500,000