The Steps Coalition has released its third anniversary report, "Hurricane Katrina: Is Mississippi 'Building Back Better Than Before?'" Sadly, the answer is "no" for the state's most vulnerable storm victims. The past twelve months have seen no increase in income-targeted allocations, or overall spending percentages on low-income persons. Mississippi lags Louisiana in percentages of overall spending and in on the poor. According to reports submitted to HUD, only 13 percent of Mississippi's expenditures benefitted lower-income persons, while 53 percent of Louisiana's spending helped its lower-income residents. Mississippi's programs for renters are forecast to leave unrepaired half of more of the apartments and small rentals with major to severe damage. Wind-damaged homeowners receive nothing in CDBG disaster recovery aid. The report contains recommendations for restoring balance and meeting the needs of the state's most beleaguered residents. Read the full report here.

Go Read: Steps Coalition 3rd Anniversary Report Card »