Addressing Housing Conditions in the Mississippi Delta

The lower Mississippi Delta region is one of the poorest areas in the United States, with an overwhelming need for the development of decent, affordable housing. The region has had extremely high rates of poverty for decades, particularly prevalent among African Americans. A sluggish economy, high unemployment rates, and problems arising from its legacy of segregation also characterize the Delta. Efforts to address these communities' problems face significant barriers, including insufficient local capacity to undertake development efforts, the absence of adequate resources and financing mechanisms, and the lack of collaboration between ongoing efforts in the region.

Despite the many challenges encountered, local organizations have devised creative ways to work in partnership with the public and private sectors to develop innovative projects to assist Delta residents. Improvement of Housing and Infrastructure Conditions in the Lower Mississippi Delta is a recently released report by the Housing Assistance Council that focuses on documenting some of the different approaches to improving housing and infrastructure conditions in the Delta. Using case studies to highlight the successful ventures to create alternatives for residents, the report shows how to overcome obstacles and provides practices other organizations can replicate. Each case study represents a unique approach to addressing problems in the Delta.

Case studies illustrate how nonprofit organizations can benefit from participating in a nationwide partnership effort and leverage resources to create affordable housing options. Additional case studies demonstrate how organizations can overcome numerous obstacles and build capacity to undertake the development and maintenance of affordable housing projects. Using self-help housing methods demonstrates how the contribution of sweat equity can help families obtain decent affordable housing and how collaborating at the local level can provide creative opportunities for meeting community needs.

Improvement of Housing and Infrastructure Conditions in the Lower Mississippi Delta is available from the Housing Assistance Council, 1025 Vermont Avenue NW., Suite 606, Washington, DC 20005, telephone (202) 842–8600.