Hattiesburg

Our Low Income Housing in Mississippi is a Blessing

Hattiesburg, MS

If you know anything about the South, and Mississippi in particular, you know that Mississippians are resilient and do not complain. Many of them believe there are spiritual reasons for things happenings.  We understand, but we look at things pretty straight on, taking a long hard second look at the big need for affordable housing in a state fighting tough poverty conditions. 


At Old Glory we believe our low income housing in Mississippi offers a hand-up to people struggling to keep a roof over their heads, or get one at all. Some people call it a blessing. We prefer to call it how people ought to treat people, even in business relationships. 
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The Problem

Our Impact

$71,805

Average Washington
Household Income

$17,448

Average Old Glory
Washington Resident Income

146

Rental
Properties

20,424

 People Served

Hattiesburg, MS Has Felt Some Tough Times in Recent Years

Hattiesburg has an interesting history that is more recent than many towns near the Gulf of Mexico. Originally a timber and rail town, the “Hub City” is strategically located within 100 miles of New Orleans, Biloxi, Jackson, MN (the state capitol), Mobile, AL and the deep-water port at Gulfport. The area was not readily settled until after the Civil War when reconstruction focused on the fine virgin long needle pine forests of the area. Railways were laid to harvest and ship to the port, and Hattiesburg grew up around them. It did not take long to deplete the pine, however, leaving the area with little other long-term economic structure besides higher education institutions and Camp Shelby, the largest National Guard training base east of the Big Water. By location Hattiesburg was in those days isolated to some degree, leading to increased poverty conditions.

 

From the Civil War through Reconstruction, the Flood of 1927, the Great Depression and continuing past Hurricane Katrina and the BP Oil Spill, endemic poverty set into the entirety of Mississippi. Generational poverty has sadly become the legacy of many, with other social and cultural issues compounding the problems. One in five Mississippians lives below the federal poverty line. Over 30% of all households in the state are below that poverty line, and 20% of all homes are single moms. Unemployment is double digit. The state has one of the lowest per capita incomes in the nation. And, if you are in any minority, you are three times more likely to be under the poverty line in Mississippi.


There is Not Enough Affordable Housing to Meet Demand in Mississippi

Even though Mississippi ranks 27thin affordable housing units, the need is tremendous due to the economic issues and natural disasters the area around Hattiesburg has suffered in recent years. Even though inland, Hattiesburg took a horrific hit during Katrina, with over 10,000 structures receiving significant damage. The city was without power for two weeks, while gaining a huge number of storm refugees from the coast. Many stayed.


Hattiesburg is still struggling to recover over a decade later.  Added to storm damage and the influx of displaced and often economically disadvantaged refugees, depleted local resources far insufficient to bolster the economy. Mississippi also has major health challenges. High in national cancer rates, residents of the Magnolia State and Hattiesburg in particular often face crippling medical bills and health problems as they age. All these issues have reinforced the endemic poverty, as well as the wide need for low income housing in Hattiesburg.


Mississippi Low Income Housing Needs Help

When most people think of housing in Hattiesburg, they think of the highly publicized Historic Neighborhood District, listed as one of the great places to live in America.


Those Victorians are beautiful, but they create shadows under which many of the local residents try to survive. The poverty rates and depressed economic and social conditions in Hattiesburg have created a need for not only low income housing, but also ended up with many houses in dire need of repair or repurposing.


Old Glory saw the situation and decided we needed to do something about it. We went and started to hunt houses for sale in Hattiesburg, Mississippi. Not just any houses, but those that needed renovated, repaired, rebuilding, with hurricane damaged roofs and interiors needing replaced.


We looked for houses that could help revitalize neighborhoods while providing seniors, the disabled, veterans, single moms, and families who were struggling, decent places to live at an affordable rent price.


When unemployment is high and wages are low, it is hard to scrape together enough to pay rent, utilities, food, and gas to get to work, let alone doctor bills, school supplies, and medicine.


At Old Glory we know that helping people get into safe, affordable housing that works for low income earners means we can achieve winning situations for both the renters and the community.


People who can be stable in a decent house are able to pay other bills when their rent is reasonable. They can keep their children in school. They can get to work and keep their job. All those things help bring people and the community up and out of poverty.


We know it is one house at a time, and we believe that one house at a time transforms lives. 


Low Income Housing In Mississippi Helps People Out of Poverty

Can You Partner With Us to Help Solve Affordable Housing Problems in MS?

Hattiesburg MS and the entire Gulf Coast have been hit hard in recent years. We are looking for non-profit organizations, governmental agencies, community and civic organizations to share our mission of helping people get into decent affordable housing.


We believe low-income housing can be handled fairly and honestly, and we handle our own property management for that very reason. We have fair, equitable rental practices. We do not turn applicants away due to previous prison sentences, evictions, or other issues – we work with one renter at a time in a climate of dignity and respect.


We also provide resident services to link up our renters with things they need – counseling, health care, food resources, whatever is locally available that we can provide non-judgmental information and direction toward.


We also buy homes needing help, and accept donations if you want to off-load a property full of challenges. We look at challenges as opportunities.


We have been transforming lives one house at a time for over a decade, and we are continuing that goal in Hattiesburg, Mississippi with our low income housing. Call us, or send in our contact form, and we will get right back with you. 



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