Last week’s announcement by 2nd District Congressman Bennie Thompson (D-MS) that two separate grants totaling $155,069.72 have been awarded for housing repair and rehabilitation in Tallahatchie County came as welcome news.
The funds — $67,284.86 to the city of Charleston and $87,784.86 to In Her Shoes Inc. — were given by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development under its housing preservation grants program to address approximately 14 low- and very low-income single-family houses in Tallahatchie County.
These sorts of government funds are awarded to local governmental entities and nonprofit organizations across the nation to assist with basic housing needs, such as fixing or replacing a leaky roof.
The costs of some of the most basic housing repairs can be enough to derail a family that is struggling to put food on the table. Therefore, these projects may get pushed aside, and even routine maintenance is postponed because of dire financial circumstances.
We are glad to see the funds made available, and we are anxious to see that the most deserving applicants receive the assistance they so desperately need.
