RAND Housing Study for Mississippi Gulf Coast Extended
A study of affordable housing needs along Mississippi’s Gulf Coast received a shot in the arm with additional donations by state and national realtor organizations.
The study by the RAND Gulf States Policy Institute will focus on low- and moderate-income housing in Hancock, Harrison and Jackson counties, which sustained about 90 percent of the serious damage Mississippi suffered from Hurricane Katrina.
“From the earliest days after Hurricane Katrina, it was obvious that housing for displaced coast residents would be the dominant issue for a long time,” Barbour said. “Many organizations and government at all levels are putting extraordinary efforts into improving the availability and affordability of housing and I certainly welcome specific recommendations that enhance the strategic rebuilding and renewal plan that is under way.”
In June RGSPI issued a study titled “Rebuilding Housing along the Mississippi Coast: Ideas for Ensuring an Adequate Supply of Affordable Housing.” The study warned that tens of thousands of Mississippi families whose homes were damaged or destroyed by hurricanes last year will have a hard time finding replacement housing in the state unless leaders in government and the private sector take action to accelerate the rebuilding of affordable housing.
Thomas M. Stevens, National Association of REALTORS® President from Vienna, Va. Said, “This project will help private companies and public organizations gain the insight they’ll need to effectively continue rebuilding in Mississippi…”
Mississippi Association of REALTORS® President Pam Beard and Henry Ray, 2006 NAR Vice President & Liaison to Government Affairs joined RAND President and CEO James A. Thomson in a meeting in the governor’s office to discuss the new study.
“RAND is committed to providing the objective research and analysis that will help Mississippi rebuild badly needed affordable housing,” Thomson said.
The RGSPI study will seek to answer questions concerning the cost of accomplishing housing recovery and what policy options are available to the program.