1 Summer 2010

Inside This IssueShelter For All 2-3

Homeless Prevention 4

Delta Initiative 5

HOYO 6

SNAP 7

City of Jackson 9

Hattiesburg Housing Fair

Housing View

The Institute for Disability Studies (IDS), Housing Alternatives, the City of Hattiesburg Federal and State Programs Department and the Mississippi Home Corporation celebrated June as National Home Ownership Month by co-sponsoring the “Opening Doors to Homeownership Housing Fair” for Hattiesburg and surrounding areas on June 3. Information was provided to people of all income levels with and without

disabilities interested in buying and maintaining a home. Consumers received information on grants, loans, insurance, legal services, how to save energy, and home supply products and services. Housing agencies provided information on how pre-purchase counseling can make the homebuying process a smooth transition. More than 250 people participated in the housing fair, receiving door prizes and refreshments.

An online newsletter published by the Housing Initiatives of the Institute for Disability Studies

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Housing View Institute for Disability Studies

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Always Strive To Do BetterOn June 16, Chris Manuel celebrated the milestone of being part of the Shelter For All program for a year. Mr. Manual is very proud of this accomplishment because it signifies that he can be stable and consistent if he focuses on a goal. To understand Mr. Manuel’s excitement one must understand his past.

Mr. Manuel arrived in Hattiesburg on the Greyhound bus with a one-way ticket from Sunset, Louisiana. Mr. Manuel was homeless and had no family or friends in or near the surrounding area. He received services and shelter from the local Salvation Army. The Salvation Army referred Mr. Manuel for services through Shelter For All. From the beginning Mr. Manuel was excited about the program and the assistance that is offered.

Through the collaboration of several local agencies and Shelter For All, Mr. Manuel was able to obtain permanent stable housing. After he was stably housed he was able to focus on improving greater self-determination. Mr. Manuel enrolled in Beacon Behavioral Health and received intensive behavioral/mental health services. He flourished at Beacon and received high accolades and high achievements.

Mr. Manuel often states that he always strives to do better than he has done in the past. Mr. Manuel has a strong belief in God and continuously acknowledges Him on his journey. His says his strong belief system is directly responsible for where he is today. He is dedicated to his community, church family and new- found friends.

The “Changed” ManEdward Smith’s life began to unravel more than 15 years ago when he was living in Meridian. The fast pace of the streets and Smith’s disability lead him to incarceration at an early age. His release from prison took him to the Gateway Rescue Mission/New Life Center in Magee, a transitional housing facility for men.

At this facility, Mr. Smith began his spiritual change of life. He began attending Bible study on a regular basis and shared many chores with other residents such as maintenance of the dining room, mopping, sweeping and working as a customer service attendant at the Gateway Thrift Store.

Now 34, Mr. Smith was eligible for the Shelter For All (SFA) program at IDS. When he enrolled as a participant, he was provided with case management, rental education and a person-centered planning session. The SFA case manager partnered with local community agencies such as Pearl River Valley Opportunity (PRVO) for utility assistance and Jim Gallaspy Property Management for affordable housing. IDS donated items from its Home Closet. Mr. Smith had personal resources he had saved over a moderate period of time.

Through the duties and obligations entrusted to him by the coalitions of services partnering in his interest, Mr. Smith has demonstrated he is a “changed” man. He will continue to receive case management under the IDS Shelter For All program.

Edward Smith was able to move into his affordable apartment and become self-sufficient.

Chris Manuel outside his apartment

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Shelter For All assists homeless individuals with disabilities and their families across Mississippi—with the exception of Hinds, Rankin, Madison, Warren,

Copiah, Hancock, Harrison, Jackson, George, Stone and Pearl River counties—by locating needed resources and supports to help them access

permanent housing and achieve self-sufficiency.

Shelter For All helps individuals with disabilities who are homeless to obtain and remain in permanent housing, increase their skills or income and achieve

greater self-determination.

For more information about the Shelter For All program, call the IDS Jackson office toll free at 1.866.883.4474.

Shelter For All is a project of the Institute for Disability Studies (IDS), Mississippi’s University Center for Excellence in Developmental

Disabilities (UCEDD) Research, Education and Service, located at The University of Southern Mississippi. Shelter For All is funded

by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) through the Supportive Housing Program.

Helping homeless individuals with disabilities find permanent housing and

achieve self-sufficiency

3825 Ridgewood Road, Room 729, Jackson, MS 39211

Phone: 1.866.883.4474 or 601.432.6876

Fax: 601.432.6974 | TTY: 1.888.671.0051

www.usm.edu/ids

AA/EOE/ADAI UC 62608.5163 5.10

Shelter For All

IDS’ Shelter For All project uses every opportunity to find clients in need. Case managers provide outreach to individuals, facilities and other resources in the community. Rental education classes are one of the resources SFA offers to consumers.

Chan Turner, SFA case manager for the northern region of the state, recently held a rental education class at the Genesis Dream Center in Columbus. At this training she met and began to assist Kimberly Collins.

“Ms. Collins approached me after the class and told me she wished she had known some of the information presented in the rental education class just weeks before because it would have prevented her from being evicted,” said Turner.

Ms. Collins is the mother of two. She and her children had been living in her car; they had no support. Ms. Collins is not employed, but she is working on her GED. Turner is currently assisting her in finding stable housing and employment.

The focus of rental education classes is to assist consumers with finding an apartment, the responsibility that they incur as potential renters and their rights as a tenant. At the end of this class participants receive a certificate stating “completion of rental education counseling.” This counseling is an integral part of consumers becoming successful renters, which can lead

Chan Turner, Shelter For All case manager, leads a rental education class in Columbus.

Shelter For All Provides Assistanceto them becoming successful homeowners. Over the past year, more than 150 individuals have successfully completed rental education classes.

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The Homeless Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing Program has worked for some Holly Springs residents to prevent homelessness and promote a stable life. Alberta Isable is a resident of Holly Springs. Her husband has been a dialysis patient for the past four years. As her husband’s caregiver, Mrs. Isable has not been able to work for the past two years. The decreased income for the Isables has resulted in many sacrifices for the family. It was necessary to pay rent to have a place to live but many amenities were let go. Utilities and housing are a necessity so Mrs. Isable sought assistance to avoid being evicted. She was referred to the IDS HPRP Program.

The case manager gathering information from Mrs. Isable was able to see an individual with determination and dedication. As HPRP provided services to the

HPRP Houses HomelessMs. Owens came to IDS for services to prevent her family of five children from becoming homeless. Ms. Owens has lupus and has been unable to work. Estranged from her husband, her income was affected by job loss. The family had found housing, and Case Manager Tia Hudson was able to assist them with rent, connect them with resources and prevent homelessness. Hudson assisted with registering the children for school, linking the family with Medicaid, food stamps and social security benefits, finding a referral for furniture and collaborated with a school social worker on supportive home services. Ms. Owens has since received her disability benefits and is enjoying her new home.

A native of Louisiana, Mr. H (Client requested not to be identified.) moved to Jackson after a stay in a drug rehab facility to start his life over. Instead, he found himself homeless and on the street. Mr. H was living in a shelter when he came to HPRP for assistance. Case Manager Tia Hudson helped Mr. H find housing and assisted him with a security deposit and rent. Mr. H is currently working part-time and going to school full-time. He is finishing classes and hopes to get a full-time job with the company he is working for as an intern.

Restoring HopeKimberly Hope Mitchell sings the praises of IDS’ Homeless Prevention and Rapid Re-housing Program. Ms. Mitchell, who is single, was evicted from a relative’s overcrowded home. Ms. Mitchell has a disability, has been sober for approximately two years and wants to regain custody of her teenage son.

Ms. Mitchell said she made many mistakes as a young adult as a result of poor choices and lack of judgement. Incarcerated for eight years, Ms. Mitchell expressed a strong desire to “start over.” Her goal of securing affordable, safe housing seemed impossible as she thought, “Who would rent to me? I don’t have enough money for the deposits.”

Ms. Mitchell said that once she heard about IDS’ HPRP program, she began to think positively. She met with Case Manager Christie Harry-Magee to complete the application on May 7. Ms. Mitchell and her son moved into their two-bedroom apartment on May 14. Ms. Mitchell continues to attend AA meetings, and she is employed. She values the case management services of the HPRP program and her case manager, Christie Harry-Magee for restoring her hope.

HPRP Assists North Mississippi Residentsfamily, the family was able to focus on the primary care of Mr. Isable who has frequent visits to the hospital. A monthly budget has been established, which they have been able to follow. The HPRP case manager said that it has been a pleasure to assist this family.

Telly Warren is also a resident of Holly Springs. He was in a car accident and unable to work a full 40-hour week. Being unable to pay his rent and other bills resulted in an eviction notice. Notified of this eviction, Mr. Warren contacted HPRP for assistance to allow his family to become more stable. The HPRP case manager has worked with the Warren family in identifying barriers that threatened homelessness and has been able to develop a housing plan.

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Promoting Financial Literacy in the DeltaHomebuyer education classes continue to be a fundamental resource in aiding individuals with disabilities to prepare for homeownership. Homebuyer education classes are held across the state by IDS housing counselors to train Mississippi residents on how to become qualified applicants for home loans and ideally successful, lasting homeowners. The classes are free and open to the public.

In May 2010, IDS Housing Training and Technical Assistance Specialist, Nita Martin, held a homebuyer education class at Mitchell Temple Church located in Sunflower County. Thirteen participants attended and received a certificate of completion for the course “Neighborworks®, Realizing the American Dream.” Attendees participated in group discussions, lectures and activities about housing-related topics such as money management, credit and shopping for a home.

Home of Your Own Client Purchases Home with IDA Account“I did it for my son,” said Shirley Crigler, new homeowner through the Mississippi Home of Your Own program’s Delta Initiative. Ms. Crigler, a single mother of three children, rented for countless years before applying for grant assistance from HOYO.

Crigler first contacted IDS about homeownership in September 2008 when frustrated with renting. She desperately wanted a comfortable place to raise her child born with Down Syndrome. She worked with IDS counselor Lorenzo Claxton to improve her credit and was approved for a mortgage loan with USDA Rural Development in February 2009.

At the suggestion of IDS staff, Crigler gradually began saving money over the next year and applied for an individual development account (IDA) with the Mississippi Asset Building Coalition which matched

her savings 3:1. Crigler became the first graduate of the IDA program in May 2010 when she reached her goal of saving $1,000. She received an additional $3,000 in IDA funds as well as $15,000 in HOYO down payment assistance toward the purchase of her first home in Leflore County.

“My kids love the new neighborhood! It’s so quiet and peaceful,” said Shirley Crigler. She and her children have plenty of space to play in the yard, and they’ve even started a garden this summer growing cucumbers and greens. Crigler anxiously looks forward to celebrating her son’s 21st birthday in their new home this November.New homeowner Shirley Crigler, left, with IDS housing counselor

Nita Martin, right, proudly displays her deed at her closing.

Shirley Crigler at the door of her new home

Mitchell Temple homebuyer education class

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HOME Funds Assist with New Habitat HomeMs. Frances Cambre, an elderly applicant, has been living with her sister in an older home in Lucedale for over a decade. The roof of the home was severely damaged by Hurricane Katrina. Even years after Katrina, the sisters had been unable to get help. The roof had so many leaks, that Ms. Cambre was using 17 water buckets to catch water from the leaking roof. She had fallen through the front porch twice resulting in a broken arm and sprained ankle while waiting on her new home to be built. Habitat for Humanity of George County did a 30-day blitz to build her new home. In spite of the rain and other challenges, the build was a great success. Ms. Cambre was qualified for HOME funds through Home of Your Own (HOYO), which made her mortgage affordable. She says she is happy to be in a “strong” home.

Southwest Homebuyer Education ClassIDS hosted a HOYO homebuyer education workshop in McComb which included Pike, Walthall, Amite, Jefferson and Marion counties in January. Individuals attending gathered information that could help with making the right homebuying decision for them and to learn about grant assistance programs. An invitation was extended to local professionals to serve as presenters for the workshop that included an attorney, home inspector, lender and a realtor. Each professional is a key player in the homebuying process. They were able to present on their specific industry topic during the education workshop. The workshop was a success with 43 participants receiving homebuyer certificates.

Curtis Butler, vice president of First Bank, presented a session from the lender’s perspective.

Attorney Brandon W. Frazier addresses the legal aspects of buying and owning a home.

Top, Frances Cambre’s old home; above, Frances Cambre’s new Habitat home built in 30 days

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Federal Home Loan Bank SNAP Grant Assists with Ramp and PorchRobert McKnight has been living in Bogue Chitto for four years since moving from New Orleans. McNight, 68, has been a dialysis patient for 12 years and goes to the dialysis center three times a week for four-hour treatments. He considered taking his treatments at home, but after being informed about the amount of supplies required, the maintenance needed for the machine, the necessity to be sure things were sterile, plus learning how to run the machine and hook himself up, he decided it was too complicated. He said that on his way home from treatment, he would always think about how he would get himself in the house. In the past, he would usually pull his truck up to the back porch and crawl in the house, and that left his body even more exhausted. He knew the ramp would be a blessing because he doesn’t have anyone else to care for him and his condition seems to be getting worse. “I really appreciate this help, and thanks to the grant, those days are over,” Mr. McKnight said. HOYO was able to qualify the homeowner with the $5,000 Federal Home Loan Bank SNAP rehab grant that was provided by BancorpSouth, a member bank in the SNAP program.

New Biloxi HomeStephen Kent purchased his new home in Biloxi. Stephen, 27, has been working at Wal-Mart for four years and saved to buy his home. Stephen, who has a developmental disability, enjoys his job and daily activities. He receives great support from his grandparents with whom he has lived since he was six years old. His housing interest was the HOPE VI project in Biloxi, which allowed him to be eligible for a grant of $30,000 toward homeownership. Stephen received $16,000 from a Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLP) AHP grant and Bank Plus, the partnering bank. He was also in a pilot program called MS Model Youth Transition Innovation (MYTI) that offered an Individual Development Account (IDA). He saved $1,281.92 that was matched and used for a down payment. HOYO sponsored a housing celebration for Stephen, inviting family, friends and partner agencies. Mercy Housing, the CHODO agency that administered the MYTI IDA account for the Department of Rehabilitation Services, donated a washer and dryer at the celebration.

McKnight’s home before

Robert McKnight appreciates his new ramp and porch.

Stephen Kent, fourth from left, and the many community supporters who assisted him with the purchase of his home

Stephen Kent decorated his new home with his favorite characters.

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Winning WaysLawrence Truss lost his ability to walk after a near- death experience in 1994. Always an avid tennis and racquetball player and bike enthusiast, the former quality assurance specialist continued his winning ways, being featured on the Tennis Pro magazine cover in 2004 for his skills in wheelchair tennis.

Mr. Truss had often considered purchasing an accessible home. While reading the local paper, he noticed an ad about a seminar being held to “learn more about how to start your own business, buy or sell a home and grants available for small business.” During that same time, he saw a TV commercial. After reading about the seminar, he decided to learn more. He received lots of information at the two-day seminar and decided to contact organizations on the resource paper.

Mr. Truss met with Wanda Cowart from Trustmark Bank in 2008 to get pre-qualified for a home loan. Ms. Cowart worked with him for two months to resolve credit matters and directed him to the Home of Your Own (HOYO) program. Based on her knowledge of HOYO, Cowart thought he would qualify for the $15,000 down payment assistance. Mr. Truss had already begun looking for a home, but none in the price range that he qualified for were accessible or in a neighborhood he would consider. Mr. Truss contacted HOYO staff to get an application. Once the application was received in the Hattiesburg office, Cassie Hicks and Heather Steele counseled him on budgeting and savings and requested additional information to continue processing the application. Mr. Truss completed an IDS homebuyer education class.

Considering the options discussed by counselors and the information reviewed in the class, Mr. Truss contacted

IDA Program CompletedThe HOYO IDA Savings Program was a five-year pilot program of the Mississippi Asset Building Coalition (MsABC) and the Mississippi Individual Development Account Program(MIDAP) to provide wealth-building and financial education opportunities to Mississippi families with disabilities of low wealth. The IDA Savings Program was a matched savings account to encourage individuals to save money for the purchase of a home through the Home of Your Own program. The IDA program was funded by the Avon Foundation; Trustmark National Bank was the project’s partner bank.

Avon funds targeted women who met the requirements of IDS’ housing programs but needed additional funds to purchase a home. Participants were to save a maximum of $1,000, which would be matched by a $3,000 foundation grant to achieve a total of $4,000 to be used for homeownership. The deadline to achieve the savings goal was June 30, 2010. HOYO staff enrolled a total of 10 participants. One participant completed the program and received the IDA grant toward the purchase of a home. Two participants are in the process of completion and closing on their homes. Seven participants enrolled but did not complete the program: one was non-compliant, three purchased homes without funds before achieving the savings limit, one had a death in the family and postponed homeownership, and two needed additional time/resources beyond the program completion deadline.

USDA Rural Development for a home loan because it would provide the subsidy needed to maintain his budget. After submitting a loan application with USDA and discussing building versus purchasing existing property, Mr. Truss decided to build. In 2009, he was determined eligible to purchase a home. After months of looking at plans and discussing building, he decided to purchase a home under construction. Not only was the builder willing to make the necessary modifications to provide wheelchair accessibility, the home was also located in a nice neighborhood. Heather Steele made follow-up contact to the applicant, USDA and the closing attorney to provide information needed to help Mr. Truss transition into the newly constructed home he purchased in February 2010.

Heather Steele and Lawrence Truss tour his new accessible home.

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IDS/City of Jackson/Habitat for Humanity Make Homeownership in Jackson AffordableThanks to the network of volunteer efforts of Habitat for Humanity in the metro area, Gloria Boles, a HOYO client, has become a new homeowner in the Georgetown area of Jackson. Ms. Boles contacted IDS in December 2009 for down payment assistance toward her Habitat home. In January 2010, Ms. Boles, completed a person-centered planning session with IDS social worker, Chan Turner, and housing coordinator, Cassie Hicks, where she discussed future plans of becoming a homeowner, building more savings and pursuing higher education. After construction, Habitat for Humanity held a home dedication at her new home in March, and Boles received the keys to her very first home. Gloria Boles, a single mother, works for the University of Mississippi Medical Center in the Roland Medical Library and

attends Hinds Community College. She and her 11-year-old son, Nicholas, are now able to study and relax in their new home.

IDS NSP Program UniqueWant a great home in a great Jackson neighborhood at a great price? The IDS Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP) may have just the home for you.

The federally funded NSP program, which is being made available in every state, was established for the purpose of stabilizing communities that have suffered from foreclosures and abandonment. The goal of the program is being realized through the purchase and redevelopment of foreclosed and abandoned homes and residential properties. The IDS NSP project targets properties in five neighborhoods in Jackson. IDS, through the NSP project, has acquired 50 homes that will be rehabilitated to look like new.

These homes will be made available to first-time buyers who will be owner occupants of the homes. The homebuyers will all be required to complete a homebuyer education class before closing on any NSP home. The buyers will all be responsible for securing their own proper financing to purchase the homes. For those who qualify, the HOYO program could be a great program for a first application.

Unique to the IDS NSP project is the collaboration with The University of Southern Mississippi’s College of Construction to provide expertise in construction and assistive technology.

The homes available range in size and number of bed-rooms and bathrooms. The homes will all be available for viewing on the IDS Web site as they become available for purchase.

New homeowner Gloria Boles, left, receives her down payment check from Nita Martin, right, IDS housing specialist.

The Boles’ new home

An IDS NSP home in the city of Jackson

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Housing Program AccomplishmentsHome of Your OwnSixty-five new homeowners from October 1, 2009, to June 30, 2010, with homes located in Choctaw, Clay, Desoto, Forrest, George, Grenada, Harrison, Hinds, Humphreys, Jefferson, Jones, Lamar, Lauderdale, Lee, Leflore, Lowndes, Madison, Marshall, Oktibbeha, Rankin, Simpson, Sunflower, Tate, Walthall, Warren, Washington and Yalobusha counties

Lender partners: BancorpSouth, BankPlus, ECD/Hope Community Credit Union, Grand Bank, Habitat George County, Habitat Jackson, Habitat Lowndes County, Habitat Meridian, Habitat Northeast MS, Regions, USDA Rural Development and Trustmark

Total of $795,000 awarded down payment assistance to 53 families with MDA HOME funds and $4,057,393 in mortgage financing.

Homebuyer education classes were held in Belzoni, Hattiesburg, Holly Springs, Indianola, Jackson, Laurel, McComb, Starkville and Yazoo City with 274 households receiving certificates.

Current files pending: 58

Delta InitiativeIn 2007, the Mississippi Home of Your Own Program was first funded by the F.B. Heron Foundation to perform direct services to people with disabilities in the Delta. The F.B. Heron Foundation, created in 1992, is a private institution dedicated to supporting organizations with a track record of building wealth within low-income communities. Through this support, IDS was able to create the Delta Initiative” to identify and locate safe, affordable housing and community-based support needed to empower people with disabilities in their quest for independence and inclusion in Delta communities. The Delta Initiative goals for the next two years are to provide 120 households in the Delta region with homebuyer education and prepurchase counseling, assist 15 households to achieve homeownership with financial assistance and to assist three future homeowners with matched savings through an IDA pilot. The achievements, thus far in 2010, shows the HOYO Delta Initiative has assisted 80 Delta households with homebuyer education and pre-purchase counseling,

provided financial assistance toward homeownership to seven Delta households, and two individuals have enrolled in the IDA matched savings in the Delta.

City of Jackson HOME PartnershipIn 2002, IDS began a partnership with the City of Jackson (COJ) to assist people with disabilities with achieving permanent homeownership within the city limits of Jackson. Upon completion of the 2008 grant year in October 2009, 16 families had been assisted with homeownership, and IDS’ goal to assist two households by the first half of 2010 has been achieved with one additional family pending funding to conclude the 2009 grant year. The goal for homebuyer education for COJ residents was achieved with 61 households attending the comprehensive homebuyer education classes.IDS have received more grant funding from the City of Jackson to assist eight additional homebuyers with disabilities to achieve homeownership.

Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) of DallasAffordable Housing Program (AHP) - Bank Plus Member Bank

Grant award of $480,000 to provide down •payment assistance to eligible households with disabilities across Mississippi to include rural counties in MississippiThirty eligible households (very low-to-moderate •income) to receive grants of $16,000 per household.Project has closed 27 loans in Edwards, Byram, •Laurel, Jackson, Holly Springs, Lucedale, Inverness, and Harrison, Desoto, Rankin, Pearl River, Grenada and Jones counties.

Special Needs Assistance Program (SNAP)Thirty-seven homeowners with existing property •received rehab grants of up to $5,000. Bancorp South, Bank Plus, Trustmark and ECD •Hope Community Credit Union have been participating in SNAP to award these rehab grants for Mississippi homeowners.

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Housing Events• HOYO Presentation at Mississippi Regional Housing Authority in Columbus• HOYO Lender Training (USDA, Habitat Northeast MS, Habitat Columbus)• HOYO co-sponsored Housing Fair with Housing Alternatives, The City of Hattiesburg and MS Home Corp

IDS held 27 informational/training workshops and in-services providing technical assistance to 547 mortgage lenders, real estate professionals, service providers, and other professionals and agencies/organizations including Housing Authorities, Habitat for Humanity, USDA Rural Housing, City of Hattiesburg, Living Independence for Everyone (LIFE), Addie McBryde Center for the Blind, Head Start programs, Coalition for Citizens with Disabilities, National Aging in Place Council, Community Action Agencies, Association of Retarded Citizens, Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians and Disability Rights Mississippi.

In addition, staff presented at the Housing Education and Economic Development Inc. Housing Conference, Mississippi Municipal League (MML) Conference of Mayors and Elected Officials, Jackson National Homeownership Month Homeownership Rally and the Mississippi Home Corporation Affordable Housing Conference.

Comprehensive Counseling IDS was awarded a Housing Counseling grant as subrecipient of counseling funds awarded by the Mississippi Home Corporation via support from the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Housing staff provided the following services to individuals/households from October 1, 2009 through June 30, 2010.

Services Provided Goals Actual New Intake /Assessment 104 128 Credit Reports 42 155Drop Out /Withdraw 6 92Rental Counseling 4 51Develop Credit Plan 7 128Other Individual Counseling 66 628Pre-purchase Education 62 190Follow Client Through Loan Closing 8 53Working Toward Homeownership 54 53

A Special Thanks To All Sponsors And Exhibitors Participating in the Hattiesburg Housing Fair

Anderson Paint & CarpetAllState Insurance/Bernard Green AgencyBancorpSouthCellularSouthCitizens National BankCity of HattiesburgCoca-Cola Bottling CompanyCommunity ConnectionsFarm Bureau Insurance Grand BankHattiesburg Habitat for HumanityHome DepotHousing AlternativesKing-Freeman RealtyMississippi Home CorporationMS Center for Legal ServicesMS Coalition for Citizens with DisabilitiesMS Power CompanyMS Regional Housing Authority VIIIMSU Extension ServiceRegions MortgageSam’s ClubSouthern Miss Institute for Disability StudiesSteinMartThe Bethesda Project IncThe First BankTop Teens of America-Hattiesburg ChapterTrustmark BankUSDA- Rural DevelopmentVH Brown & AssociatesVines Realty and LandWachovia Bank/Wells FargoWal-Mart Super Center 49Wal-Mart Super Center Petal

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Twenty outreach activities were provided to •homeless shelters, regional centers and LIFE centers.

Homeless Prevention and Rapid Re-housing (HPRP)HPRP is a program of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 to prevent individuals and families from becoming homeless and to help those who are experiencing homelessness to be quickly re-housed and stabilized. Funding is directed to people who are or would be homeless but for this assistance. The intent is to help people who can remain stably housed after temporary assistance ends.IDS contracts in partnership with the Partners To End Homelessness and the Balance of State Homeless Coalitions to provide HPRP services. A total of 303 requests have been received for housing services through the IDS HPRP program with 79 clients getting financial assistance for rent, utility payments, security deposits and hotel vouchers. There are 43 applications pending, 174 applicants were deemed ineligible and seven applications withdrawn. Disbursements of $121,625 have been processed to landlords and utility companies through June 30, 2010 to stabilize and prevent homelessness in our communities. Applicants have been served in several Mississippi counties including Hinds, Warren, Rankin, Madison, Marshall, Oktibbeha, Lowndes, Yazoo, Pontotoc and Leake.

Neighborhood Stabilization Program (NSP)A total of 37 homes have been purchased under the IDS NSP program with an estimated 13 additional homes to be purchased before the end of August 2010. The homes will be marketed to very low income households in the City of Jackson.

My Home My CoastMy Home My Coast was launched in April 2009 by the Gulf Coast Renaissance corporation to assist thousands of residents in the six coastal counties. The long-term housing program has been designed to provide homeownership opportunities to individuals with the focus on those who have been impacted by Hurricane Katrina and/or the recent national credit crisis. Financial benefits include down payment assistance of $14,300 to $22,500 and up to $3,500 in closing cost assistance based on the AMI. The University of Southern Mississippi is proudly recognized as one of My Home My Coast counseling agency partners and has counseled 74 individuals to process for possible homeownership. Twenty-nine individuals have been receiving housing and financial counseling at Southern Miss’ Gulf Park campus in Long Beach and the Hattiesburg main office. Five households at 80 percent and below of AMI have closed their home loans, and 11 applications are pending with six potential homeowners with lender approvals for homeownership.

Shelter for AllThe services provided for the Shelter For All program from September 1, 2009, to June 30, 2010, include:

Forty-seven homeless individuals accessed rentals •(apartments or subsidized housing).Fourteen homeless individuals with disabilities •were successful in obtaining supported employment. Twenty-eight homeless individuals with •disabilities were referred for life-skills counseling.Sixty-nine individuals with disabilities were •assisted with access to transportation and health and human services.One hundred sixty-three individuals with •disabilities successfully completed renter education.Assessment or information and referral services •provided to 173 homeless individuals with disabilities over the last year.Fifty-two homeless individuals with disabilities •received follow-along case management services.Person-centered planning was provided •by HOYO and its coalition members, in collaboration with homeless service providers, to 20 individuals with disabilities.

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IDS Receives Recognition from Governor and Mississippi Development Authority

A commitment to service within its successful homebuyer project resulted in another Governor’s Community Projects of Excellence Award for IDS. Gov. Haley Barbour presented the award in a March ceremony. This marks the third time the IDS Mississippi Home of Your Own program has earned the prestigious award. At the presentation were, from left, Royal Walker, IDS executive director, Cassie Hicks, IDS housing coordinator, Cindy Singletary, chairman of the IDS Advisory Council, and Ruthie Bilal, assistant vice president of Single Family Program Operations, Mississippi Home Corporation.

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Housing View is an online newsletter featuring the activities of the housing initiatives of the Institute for Disability Studies. IDS is Mississippi’s University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities Research, Education and Service and has been located at The University of Southern Mississippi for over 30 years.

The University of Southern MississippiInstitute for Disability Studies

118 College Drive #5163 Hattiesburg, MS 39406-0001

601.266.5163Toll-Free/TTY: 1.888.671.0051

Fax: 601.266.5114

Jackson Office3825 Ridgewood Road, Room 729

Jackson, MS 39211601.432.6876

Toll Free: 1.866.883.4474Fax: 601.432.6974

www.usm.edu/ids

AA/EOE/ADAI

New Housing Staff

Nita MartinTraining/Technical Assistance Housing

SpecialistHOYO Delta Initiative/COJ

Ronn HillProject Coordinator

Neighborhood Stabilization Program

Tia HudsonCase Manager

Homeless Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing Program

Jackson

Lashundra SimsCase Manager

Homeless Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing Program

Jackson

Christie Harry-MageeCase Manager

Homeless Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing Program

Hattiesburg

Janice LyonsCase Manager

Shelter For All ProgramHattiesburg

Housing View