Hinds County and Jackson MS homeless prevention programs.
Homeless prevention services in Hinds County are organized by multiple agencies, many of which are based in Jackson Mississippi. There is the Continuum of Care, a housing coalition, as well as numerous non-profit organization such as the United Way, Hinds County Human Resource Agency and Salvation Army. Some homeless prevention and rapid rehousing focuses on veterans, single moms, or people facing domestic violence. Each of these organization will help renters as well as homeowners avoid a foreclosure and/or eviction.
Hinds County resources for tenants and homeowners
A pro-active approach to tenant homeless prevention in Hinds County involves the use of cash grants as well as legal aid. The resources can help stop an eviction by paying rental arrears or covering related expenses, including water and/or utility bills. The legal aid in the Jackson community is mostly focused on finding a solution to the crisis that involves mediation between the landlord or tenant. If that fails, then an attorney will represent the tenant in housing court.
The legal aid is free, but it does have limits. A lawyer can only help with non-financial matters. So if the landlord issued a vacate or pay or quit notice for unpaid rent, then an attorney may not be able to assist. Rather legal aid is good for the following. It can resolve disputes over damage to the home, noise or security deposit disputes, disputes over occupancy, and the like.
The Hinds County homeless prevention for the renter will involve a comprehensive review of the state of Mississippi laws in place to protect a tenant. In fact, there are additional rights often given to minorities, seniors, and the disabled. As far as veterans, an agency known as Common Bond Association (phone (601) 371-6851 and address of 836 Medical Plaza Jackson, MS 39204) is offered. Veterans, the disabled, minorities, etc. too are entitled to safe housing, and if a landlord tries to evict them for questionable reasons than this can allow a lawsuit to take place.
Some times the attorney can also mediate some type of arrangement that satisfies the tenants as well as landlords needs. This can be an effective approach as well to stopping an eviction from occurring. It is often in both parties interests to use this type of approach, as it can be expensive for the landlord to re-lease the home, and it is also expensive as well as inconvenient for the tenant to move.
Cash grants are also used as part of the pro-active solution to stopping an eviction. Hinds County agencies that are part of the Continuum of Care often can contribute here as well as the Human Resource Agency. Or they use funds from the United Way, which are allocated once per year based on the money they raise from the public. Grants can pay for rent or utility bills (water, heating, or electric) in an effort to stop the eviction. Note this part of homeless prevention is very limited. More on financial aid from Human Resource Agency.
Homeowner foreclosure/homeless prevention is also part of the services in Hinds County. There are several Housing and Urban Development (HUD) agencies that provide support to the community. As part of this, a full review of the client's finances will take place. They will review the following.
- -Current household income and expenses (budget).
- -Documentation on the existing mortgage loan, including payment terms, interest rate, and length.
- -Details on the lender.
- -Applicant's credit score and past payment practices.
Based on this review, the client will be given options to stopping the foreclosure. There will often be a conference call held with a representative of the lender to review the situation as well. Ideally some form of solution (other than a formal foreclosure filing) will be arrived at.
Homeless assistance and rehousing in Hinds County
The approaches above are pro-active. The goal is to always stop the eviction and/or foreclosure before it becomes official. As it is not a good thing for the family to be homeless. It is not only expensive to rehouse the Hinds County resident, but there is also many social concerns that result, such as lack of schooling, potential hunger, etc. The continuum of care agencies do what they can to stop homelessness from occurring.
When it can't be prevented, this means that the rehousing program kicks into place. The homeless person will be placed into some form of transitional housing program, including Stewpot Community Services at 343 Adelle Street, Jackson, MS 39202, Phone: (601) 948-2873. It allows them to save money to help pay future rent and deposits costs. There are also many classes around employment and financial literacy organized.
When all is said and done, an agency affiliated with the continuum of care will help the homeless person find a place to live. It will be both safe and affordable. Now there may also be some limited financial help allocated using HUD grants, and this money can pay for first months rent and other costs.
Contact for homeless prevention and rehousing in Hinds County
For more details on the various homeless prevention programs in the Hinds County community, call the customer service team at Hinds County Human Resource Agency at (601) 923-3930. Information on how to apply and the process will be provided.
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