JACKSON, Miss. – News homes, sidewalks, and enhanced lighting are all a part of the Jackson Medical Mall Foundation’s first ever housing development.
The Foundation unveiled plans for the new homes during today’s groundbreaking ceremony on the corner of Prosperity and Easy Street in the Homestead Heights Subdivision, east of the Medical Mall. Development plans feature green friendly construction, but most importantly a new vision for a neighborhood that has suffered years of neglect and blight.
“The Foundation is committed to meeting the needs of our surrounding communities and will continue doing so, now with affordable, workforce housing,” said Primus Wheeler, executive director of the Jackson Medical Mall Foundation. “Today, we officially begin our work as a housing provider with a goal of putting eligible applicants such as teachers, nurse’s aides, police officers, fire fighters, and even retired seniors into energy efficient, quality designed homes. We also look forward to current residents that are renting on this very street to become homeowners through our program.”
Lula Cavett, a longtime resident of Homestead Heights, beams with excitement as she visualizes new housing and the positive impact it will have on her neighborhood. Cavett and her husband Albert moved into the subdivision 45 years ago. The Cavetts have nine children and say this is the only place they have known as home.
“The entire neighborhood is excited about the new housing because we are ready for change,” said Cavett. “When my husband and I first moved here, it was a nice place to raise a family so we put our roots down here, joined Bertha Chapel, the next street over and have been here ever since. We just thank the Medical Mall for coming to our neighborhood.”
Jackson Medical Mall Foundation employee Michael Bass is just as excited about the idea of purchasing a home for his family. Bass is enrolled in the Foundation’s Homebuyer Program and will be one of the first to move in when construction is complete. It will be the first home for the Chicago native and Jackson State University graduate.
“I would have never thought that within two years of graduating college, I would be a homeowner, but the Foundation is making my dream a reality,” explained Bass.
“Now, I can really provide for my family and show my daughter and son what it means to be a man. This is an opportunity that I will never take for granted, and one that my family will always remember.”
Local and state leaders, the Mississippi Development Authority (MDA), the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), and the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas (FHLB Dallas) joined Foundation staff and neighbors for the groundbreaking celebration. The development, that is nearly $3 million, will include 24 affordable and green-friendly, single-family homes ranging from two to five bedrooms. MDA provided $2.6 million in funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) through HUD, and Trustmark National Bank and FHLB Dallas awarded a total of $260,000 in two Affordable Housing Program (AHP) grants to the project.
“We applaud the important effort that the Jackson Medical Mall is making in developing these single family homes as affordable housing,” said Mayor Harvey Johnson, Jr. “This housing project, coupled with important economic development activity slated to come on line soon, will no doubt enhance the surrounding area.”
“The Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas is proud to partner with Trustmark National Bank in support of this project,” said Greg Hettrick, vice president and director of community investment for FHLB Dallas. “We appreciate the Foundation’s efforts in addressing the affordable housing needs of this area, and believe that this project will have a significant impact on the neighborhood and the Jackson community.”
Other featured speakers included Mr. Steve Hardin, the director of Community Services for the Mississippi Development Authority and Ms. Linda Tynes, director of Community Planning and Development with the Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Preliminary work has already begun on the project with construction slated for mid August. For more information regarding today’s event and the Jackson Medical Mall Foundation’s housing development, call 601-982-8467.
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