Friday, August 29, 2008

STEPS COALITION ISSUES RECOVERY REPORT CARD:  MISSISSIPPI FAILS POOR

Steps Coalition has issued a Report Card on the state of the recovery, concluding that when it comes to lower-income residents, “Mississippi’s performance still does not deserve a passing grade."

August 28, 2008

Biloxi, MS—On the eve of the third anniversary of Katrina and as Gustav’s winds threaten, the Steps Coalition has issued a Report Card on the state of the recovery, concluding that “Mississippi’s performance still does not deserve a passing grade.”

The report takes the government in Jackson to task for leaving low-income residents behind in the allocation of its CDBG funding, the federal monies given to states affected by Katrina.  According to the document, Mississippi has redirected over 75% of federal funding designated to lower-income residents, spending only 13% of the total on them to date.  The report concludes that the state may be “violating fair housing laws by implementing programs that disproportionately under-serve lower-income and minority storm victims.”

Roberta Avila, a Steps Coalition Board member, says, “These numbers are particularly upsetting when compared to Louisiana, which has spent over 50% of their funding on the poor.  The sad truth is that a family’s recovery might currently depend on which side of the state line they live.”

The document gives the state good scores in some areas.  Most homeowners whose property was damaged by the storm surge have been compensated by the state’s grant programs.  In addition, almost 9,000 residents have moved out of temporary shelters into permanent residences.  Some have taken advantage of the state’s Mississippi Cottages, and the sturdy homes will be available for purchase at the completion of the program.

“Still,” says Reilly Morse of the Mississippi Center for Justice, who authored the report card, “the March 2009 FEMA move-out date looms, and the state simply does not have enough resources directed towards affordable housing.  The 7,200 people depending upon FEMA for temporary assistance will have no place to go if this is not addressed.  Many thousand more Mississippians outside the system, living in unrepaired homes or with relatives, will see no relief because our State doesn’t think they deserve assistance.”

The Steps Coalition is an alliance of non-profit public interest, civic, and faith-based groups that share the goal of a just, equitable, and sustainable recovery following Hurricane Katrina.  For more information or to read the report, go to 2008StepsReport.pdf.

General questions may be directed to Penny Burbank (penny.burbank@gmail.com) of the Steps Coalition at (228) 435-3113 or (228) 297-7648.  Reilly Morse (rmorse@mscenterforjustice.org) can be reached for further comment at (228) 233-7787.

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