WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Thad Cochran and Roger Wicker today applauded the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) approval of a $350 million plan by the State of Mississippi to produce 12,000 affordable housing units in South Mississippi.  The plan will provide grants and loans to local communities, nonprofit organizations and private developers to build the units in Hancock, Harrison, Jackson, and Pearl River Counties.

“I am glad the Department of Housing and Urban Development has approved Governor Barbour’s plan to increase the availability of affordable housing on the Mississippi Gulf Coast,” Sen. Cochran said.  “The lack of housing has been one of the most pressing problems on the Gulf Coast over the past three years.  Thousands of homes were lost because of Hurricane Katrina and this plan will help the residents who were displaced have a permanent place to live once again.”

Sen. Wicker added: “Increasing access to quality, affordable housing is a critical part of the rebuilding process along the Gulf Coast.  I am glad HUD has approved Governor Barbour’s plan, which will help create thousands of affordable homes in the area hardest hit by Katrina.” 

The funding to support the plan is part of $5.4 billion in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funding HUD allocated to Mississippi following Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

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