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Mississippi
Development Authority Details Latest Katrina Recovery Projects From: MDA News Release Filed 1/21/10 GCN In 2008, Governor Haley Barbour set aside $200 million in federally sourced Hurricane Katrina recovery funds specifically for “Ground Zero” projects in Hancock County, where the August 2005 storm’s damage was most severe. Recently, construction began on the first “Ground Zero” project, the Bay St. Louis Athletic Complex. The project seeks to restore the complex to pre-Katrina conditions, and improve it significantly. The project will make the complex compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act. The fields will benefit from new lighting poles and fixtures, replacing those damaged during the storm. Sidewalks, paths and other pedestrian amenities are also included. This improvement project benefits from several funding sources including $1 million from the Ground Zero Program, $300,000 from FEMA and $1,000 in local funding. Local officials hope to complete the work by March, in time for Little League play. “Including
‘Ground Zero’ and other infrastructure initiatives, we have about 200
locally generated brick and mortar projects being funded through the $5.4
billion federal recovery package that we administrate within MDA’s
Disaster Recovery Division, “ Jon Mabry, Mississippi Development Authority
Disaster Recovery Division Chief Operations Officer said. “Like the Bay
St. Louis Athletic Complex, these construction projects are funded and are
now in the hands of local governments who’re executing them.”
Left and above: Workers continue construction on the Bay St. Louis Athletic Complex, the first “Ground Zero” project to begin construction. OCEAN SPRINGS WORK SLATED TO CONCLUDE BY MARDI GRAS The City of Ocean Springs is continuing with a series of street improvements, which are being funded through the state’s $5.4 billion Hurricane Katrina recovery package. The latest work includes improvements along major local thoroughfares, including Washington and Government Streets. The $5 million project includes a variety of upgrades, including walkways, drainage improvements and aesthetic enhancements. The City plans to complete the work in time for the annual Mardi Gras celebration next month. OSYKA CITY HALL OPENS Osyka City Hall has opened. The $40 million GO Zone initiative for the upper state counties affected by Hurricane Katrina includes a $206,000 renovation and repair project for Osyka City Hill. The project includes installing windows and drainage systems. Additionally, handicap residents will be able to utilize a newly constructed handicap accessible walkway and entrance. Osyka is a town of nearly 500 residents located in Pike County Mississippi, near the Louisiana/Mississippi state line. RENTAL HELP AVAILABLE TO HURRICANE KATRINA VICTIMS IN NEED OF ALTERNATIVE HOUSING Coastal residents in need of assistance with alternative housing have vouchers available to them at their local Public Housing Authority.
Village Place apartments are an example of an affordable rental property along the Gulf Coast built through the MDA Public Housing Program. Housing Choice Vouchers can be used by residents who earn less than 50% of the area’s median income (AMI). The vouchers, which can be applied for at the local Public Housing Authority, are intended to subsidize rents and make some allowances for necessary utilities. Roughly 300 vouchers are available for Harrison and Jackson counties through the Mississippi Regional Housing Authority VIII. Housing Vouchers are portable- meaning they can be transferred between housing authorities. Application priority goes to those 170 Coast residents living in FEMA trailers, followed by the 500 occupants in temporary Katrina Cottages. Of the 3,000 apartments available for rent along the Gulf Coast, approximately 80% of them are accepting vouchers. If the applicants are having difficulty finding the money for deposits, rent, and insurance costs, case managers are available to help the applicant find resources to make their situations work. “Many renters along the Coast are refusing rental assistance because they have become accustomed to their situation,” said Gerald Blessey, Gulf Coast Housing Director for Mississippi Development Authority. “Existing situations such as FEMA trailers and Katrina cottages were intended to be temporary and will come to an end sooner rather than later. That’s why we’ve made plans to ensure that everyone displaced by Hurricane Katrina will have some kind of long-term housing solution.” In total, the Mississippi Development Authority Disaster Recovery Division (MDA DRD) has allocated $110 million in federal Katrina recovery funds to rebuild and enhance the Gulf Coast’s Public Housing Stock. “There are more public housing managed units online now than before Hurricane Katrina struck the Gulf Coast in August 2005,” continued Blessey. “We are restoring more and managing more units to satisfy the need for available and affordable rental properties.” Prior to Hurricane Katrina, Coastal Housing Authorities managed 1,979 public housing properties. Since then, that number has grown to 2,503 online now and an anticipated 658 more to be ready by 2011. Public Housing units must serve residents at 80% and below the average median income. MDA expects to finish its $110 million post-Katrina Gulf Coast public housing program leaving more than 3,000 units managed by the local public housing authorities. That’s about 1,000 more than prior to the August 2005 storm. Approximately 90% of public housing residents are below 50% AMI. With housing vouchers allotted to the state for Katrina recovery, residents of the lowest incomes can access a variety of public housing options. MDA also offers another solution to gain more public housing to supply the growing demand on the Coast with its Small Rental Program (SRAP). By the end of its run, SRAP will produce an additional 3,327 properties for coastal low and moderate income residents to utilize. Presently there are 1,826 SRAP properties ready for rent. Of those, only 223 properties hold vacancies. The same criteria for traditional public housing rentals apply. “The goal of the MDA and the Public Housing Authorities here on the Coast is to provide a housing solution for every type of need on the Coast,” continued Blessey. “There is a case manager available to help everyone who needs it.” For more information on Affordable Housing Vouchers or MDA DRD’s Public Housing Program contact: Biloxi Housing Authority – 228-374-7771 Bay Waveland Housing Authority – 228-467-4545 Long Beach Housing Authority – 228-863-8256 Mississippi Regional Housing Authority VIII – 228-831-2992 PORT OF GULFPORT MSPA Seeks Consultant for Electrical Engineering Services The Mississippi State Port Authority at Gulfport (MSPA) is currently seeking proposals from firms/companies interested in performing Electrical Engineering Services for work relating to the implementation of the Port of Gulfport Restoration Program. The scope of services associated with this contract is anticipated to include consultation, conceptual design, detailed design, construction plans and specifications, cost estimates, assistance in the bidding phase, construction administration assistance, project close out, and as-built drawings for Primary Electrical Power Distribution Systems, Secondary Electrical Distribution Systems and Communications Distribution Systems. Request for Qualifications (RFQ) packets for this procurement opportunity are filed in the office of the MSPA, Disaster Recovery Division (DRD), 2510 14th Street, Suite 1450, Gulfport, Mississippi 39501. These documents may be obtained by written request to the MSPA DRD office, or by calling the DRD at 228-865-4300. All proposals for Electrical Engineering Services must be received in the MSPA offices by February 3, 2010, at 2 p.m. Central. Visit the Procurement page of portofthefuture.com for more information about this RFQ. PORT OF GULFPORT PROGRESS REPORT As of January 19, 2010, 592,537 cubic yards of sand have been used for the Port’s 60-acre West Pier fill project.
Click on pie chart to view all of Mississippi's Katrina CDBG programs and status. According to
the Council of State Community Agencies, historically Community
Development Block Grants (CDBG) have been utilized by states in the
following manner: In accepting
CDBG funds states must make certain certifications to the U.S. Department
of Housing and Urban Development. States also have four major
responsibilities for utilizing these funds:
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