Housing is a fundamental human right, yet thousands of hard-working Mississippians are being priced out of safe and stable homes. In rural areas, where some of the state’s most vulnerable populations reside, families are forced to make impossible choices—pay rent or buy groceries, keep the lights on or cover medical expenses. Rent prices continue to rise at alarming rates, but wages remain stagnant, leaving many in a perpetual state of housing insecurity.

Mississippi cannot afford to ignore this crisis any longer. If the state is serious about building strong families and thriving communities, it must prioritize affordable housing by expanding subsidized programs and creating real incentives for developers to invest in low-income housing. While local organizations like Stewpot Community Services work tirelessly to provide relief, the burden of housing security should not fall on charities alone.

This recognition underscores how vital their work is, but it also highlights a troubling reality: The State relies too much on charitable organizations to fill a gap that should be addressed through policy. Systemic, statewide solutions are long overdue.

How Big Is the Issue?

Mississippi consistently leads the nation in poverty rates, with this crisis disproportionately affecting children. The National Low Income Housing Coalition released eye-popping data showing that more than 50,000 units in Mississippi are available while low-income families in Mississippi continue to struggle.

Let’s put that into perspective. For every 100 low-income families in Mississippi, only 60 affordable-housing units are available. There is a harmful misconception that those who face homelessness are not working or have no desire to work, even though most recipients of subsidized housing or those struggling to keep a roof over their heads are full-time workers.

Mississippi leads the nation in poverty rates, with children being disproportionately affected by the crisis. Photo courtesy Red Squared Productions

For low-income families, spending more than half of their income on rent at times forces them to choose between paying rent and meeting other basic needs like food, health care and education.

These factors within the housing crisis create a loop of generational poverty and instability for the families and children in these situations. Children who are raised in these unstable environments are more likely to experience emotional and behavioral issues that spill over to other areas of their lives, affecting the type of people that they become. 

When you do not address these issues, you are helping to perpetuate a cycle of poverty and desperation that will continue to lend itself to crime and eventually an overall decline in public safety. 

Subsidized Housing: A Lifeline for Low-Income Families

For Mississippi’s most disadvantaged citizens, subsidized housing programs can be a vital lifeline. Thousands of families have found stability because of federal programs like public housing developments and Housing Choice Vouchers (Section 8). 

While these programs are essential, they are far from perfect, as they are severely underfunded and unable to meet the growing demand for affordable housing. There is a gap that must be filled by state and local governments investing in creative housing options and increasing subsidies that allow these projects to thrive.

In practice, Mississippi could establish a state-funded housing trust designed to facilitate the development and preservation of affordable housing, addressing all its demands. By doing this, you allow for more official oversight of how funds are being managed, ensuring they are going to the families they are meant to serve.

Among many uses, these trust funds could then provide rental assistance checks, rehabilitate existing units and incentivize the construction of new and affordable homes. These projects would create a funnel of jobs within construction and management. This helps stimulate the economy. 

Thriving families equals thriving dollars.

Building Incentives: Partnering with Developers for a Better Future

Some developers argue that investing in affordable-housing projects results in smaller profit margins and creates additional challenges within municipalities.

Mississippi needs to simplify the process and provide strong incentives for developers to participate. By utilizing tax subsidies, accelerating permitting procedures and directing funds toward infrastructure improvements, the state can encourage private investment in the creation of affordable homes.

“For Mississippi’s most disadvantaged citizens, subsidized housing programs can be a vital lifeline,” Maisie Brown writes. Photo by Imani Khayyam Credit: Imani Khayyam

The federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credit, which offers a proven strategy for fostering affordable housing growth, has successfully supported affordable-housing projects across the country, a sign that the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development recognizes affordable housing as a critical solution to addressing this issue. By adding state-level incentives to this program, Mississippi can ensure more projects are built in areas with the greatest need. To further enhance the effectiveness of these incentives, zoning rules should be revised to permit mixed-use projects and higher-density housing.

Now is the moment to take action. Mississippi can no longer afford to overlook its housing crisis—expanding subsidized housing and offering developers significant incentives are wise investments in the future of the state. 

Stable housing is the foundation for a more prosperous Mississippi, with stronger communities and healthier families. By prioritizing affordable housing, we can ensure that every Mississippian has a place to call home—where they can live with dignity and hope for a brighter future.

This MFP Voices opinion essay does not necessarily represent the views of the Mississippi Free Press, its staff or board members. To submit an opinion for the MFP Voices section, send up to 1,200 words and sources fact-checking the included information to voices@mississippifreepress.org. We welcome a wide variety of viewpoints.

Maisie Brown, 23, is a Mississippi native, activist, and organizer committed to advancing justice and uplifting her community. A graduate of Murrah High School and Jackson State University, she co-organized Jackson's largest Black Lives Matter protest in 2020, the state's biggest since the civil rights movement of the 1960s. She leads the Jackson branch of a student-founded reproductive justice nonprofit, The 601 Period Project, providing essential hygiene products to women, including those incarcerated.
During her time at Jackson State University, Maisie became the university’s first Truman Scholar and was recognized in Essence Magazine’s inaugural class of Black Futurists, honoring changemakers nationwide. A proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., she strives to inspire young people to channel their passion into meaningful action.
Maisie’s advocacy has been featured in outlets like Glamour Magazine, Teen Vogue, and Essence, especially for her organizing efforts during the Jackson water crisis. As the Advocacy and Outreach Coordinator at Mississippi Votes, she continues to amplify youth voices and drive change.