Mississippi Affordable Housing Programs
With the second-highest poverty rate in the nation, affordable housing is a dire need for Mississippi. As a critical component of community stability, affordable housing ensures residents spend no more than 30 percent of their income on their rent. It exists to assist low-income families and individuals through rental assistance, homeownership support, and other essential services that bridge the gap caused by a lack of affordable rental units and suitable accommodations.
With a shortage of approximately 40,000 homes for extremely low-income renters in 2023, Mississippi faces a significant housing challenge. Federal and state programs like Section 8 and Mississippi Home Corporation programs serve as a lifeline for many residents.
Overview of Affordable Housing Programs in Mississippi
Federal Programs
There are a number of programs at the state and federal level that provide affordable housing initiatives to help low-income individuals and families secure safe housing while easing financial burdens.
Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program
The Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program is one of the ways the government is helping alleviate the housing crisis in Mississippi. It provides rental assistance to low-income families, the elderly, and disabled individuals to afford decent housing in the private market. Managed by local Public Housing Authorities (PHAs) such as the Mississippi Regional Housing Authority IV, this is one of the most well-known housing assistance programs in the nation.
Eligible low-income families’ annual gross income cannot exceed 80 percent of the statewide median family (as set by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development) income to receive the voucher. Additionally, they must be a U.S. citizen or have eligible immigration status and provide all the necessary documentation for the PHA to verify their information.
Residents looking to apply for Section 8 should first determine where they want to live, find the PHA for their area (this can be found on the HUD website), contact the PHA via phone or their website to see if there is a waiting list, gather all the required documentation, and be ready to apply once the waiting list opens up. The application process is complete once they are accepted or denied to receive the Housing Choice Voucher.
For more detailed information on applying for Section 8 and Project Based Vouchers and finding apartments that accept Housing Choice Vouchers, check out our Knowing More series on Youtube.
State Programs
Mississippi Home Corporation (MHC) Programs
Created by the Mississippi Home Corporation Act of 1989, the Mississippi Home Corporation (MHC) works with the Governor, U.S. Congressional delegation, the Mississippi Legislature, and other entities in the affordable housing industry to increase awareness about Mississippi’s need for more affordable housing and provide various programs to assist with affordable housing, including down payment assistance and mortgage revenue bonds. It’s also an administrator for the Housing Tax Credit (HTC) program which provides tax credits to developers for new construction and rehabilitation of low-income housing.
MHC loan products and specialized loan products include:
- Smart6: A 30-year fixed-rate mortgage with a $6,000 second mortgage at 0 percent interest.
- Easy8: A 30-year fixed-rate mortgage with a $8,000 second mortgage at 0 percent interest.
- Trusty10: A 30-year fixed-rate mortgage with a $10,000 second mortgage.
- JustRate: A 30-year fixed-rate mortgage with a competitive rate.
- Housing Assistance for Teachers (HAT): Grant funds up to $6,000 to assist with mortgages for Mississippi-certified public school teachers in select areas of the state.
- Home4All: Provides up to $25,000 in homebuyer assistance.
- DPA14: Offers a competitive mortgage rate through the proceeds of the sale of Mortgage Revenue Bonds.
Income limits for MHC’s down payment assistance products vary by county, and some products require applicants to be first-time homebuyers. Interested residents should visit the MHC website for more information on housing assistance products they’re interested in applying for.For information on how to apply with participating lenders and the documentation required, contact the MHC directly.
Local Initiatives and Programs
Jackson Housing Authority Programs
Established in 1969, the Jackson Housing Authority exists to provide quality, affordable housing by providing programs and services that encourage homeownership, personal empowerment, and economic improvement. It is in charge of operating 34 low-income Public Housing single-family units, 188 Project-Based Vouchers, and 835 Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers.
As the only HUD-approved Local Housing Counseling Agency (LHCA) in Mississippi, JHA has provided a path to independence through its Homeownership and Family Self-Sufficiency programs. Other housing assistance payment programs include the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program and Public Housing. Public Housing communities include Midtown Homes, Midtown Cottages, and Golden Key Apartments.
Eligibility for JHA programs depends on multiple factors, including family size, annual gross income, rental history, criminal history, and citizenship or immigration status.
Interested residents should contact the JHA directly for the most up-to-date information on waiting list timelines and the application process.
Biloxi Housing Authority Initiatives
The Biloxi Housing Authority (BHA) is another PHA that, according to its executive director, is “encouraging families to dream bigger.” Its mission is to encourage self-sufficiency among its residents by increasing education, support, and quality housing communities.
To qualify, applicants must meet HUD income limits and requirements for citizenship and immigration status, pay any outstanding debts to BHA and any other housing authority, and meet BHA Administrative Plan family standards.
Interested applicants should visit the BHA website for detailed instructions on the application process, the most current information on waiting list timelines, and a list of communities.
Affordable Housing Developments
Housing authority and government officials in Mississippi are doing what they can to increase the amount of low-income housing and give more of their residents access to safe, sanitary housing. Across the state, new affordable housing developments are being planned, funded, and built through collaborations between public agencies, nonprofit organizations, and financial institutions.
These new developments will help minimize the shortage of 50,000+ homes for low-income renters and decrease the long timelines for waiting lists for families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities in need of rent assistance.
Tips for Applicants
Applying for and getting approved for a Housing Choice Voucher can be a daunting process. Here are some tips that may help speed the process along and prevent you from making mistakes:
- Ensure all of your application documents are complete and accurate.
- Be flexible and sign up for as many waitlists as you can.
- Sign up for alerts about open waitlists.
- You never have to pay money to apply for Section 8.
- Some waitlists give priority to people who are disabled, at risk of homelessness, or have a health issue being made worse by their current living situation.
- Document all communication with every housing authority.
- Use a reliable mailing address. Sometimes, churches and shelters will allow others to use their mailing address if they don’t have a stable living arrangement.
- Stay in touch and respond to any additional requests for information via email, mail, or phone so you don’t lose your spot on the waiting list.
- Join online communities and groups for support.
For more detailed tips on finding housing, how to apply for an apartment or house, living with a voucher, and other resources, check out our How to Apply for Section 8 and How to Apply for Project Based Vouchers videos on our Knowing More YouTube series as well as this article from ProPublica.
Additional Resources
Federal and state programs aren’t the only pathways to affordable housing. There are several nonprofits that also offer housing assistance payments.
Non-Profit Organizations
The Mississippi Housing Partnership is a private nonprofit that provides purchase subsidies for first-time home buyers, makes affordable rental housing available, and offers professional housing counseling services. Grace House is an organization that exists to support low-income Mississippians affected by HIV/AIDs in some way by providing housing and supportive services to displaced men, women, and children.
Frequently Asked Questions
Access Housing Assistance in Mississippi
For a community to thrive, it must have access to safe and affordable housing. Mississippi’s state, federal, and local housing programs are providing critical support to those in need and bridging the gap caused by an extreme shortage of affordable housing options. However, gaining access to these opportunities is not always a straightforward process, and long waitlists underscore just how far there is to go.
If you or someone you know is in need of housing assistance, we can help! Get in touch to build a brighter future for your Mississippi family.
