The city of Jackson issued the following statement.
In a decisive effort to protect residents of Bloom Apartments facing urgent safety and housing challenges, Mayor John Horhn has secured a temporary restoration of water service and expanded relocation support through a coalition of partners.
Over the last several days, Mayor Horhn has worked the phones nonstop to prevent residents from living without water. On Friday, he called U.S. District Judge Henry Wingate to request that water service be turned back on temporarily. Judge Wingate agreed, granting a 5-day restoration to give residents time to relocate safely.
The Mayor has also been in direct contact with Mississippi Home Corporation, which is stepping in to cover down payments for new apartments, the first month’s rent, and relocation expenses. These funds will be delivered through Stewpot, which continues to coordinate relocation and support services for affected tenants.
Region 6 Housing Authority is expediting the use of tenant vouchers to help families secure permanent housing quickly, while Jackson Housing Authority remains engaged in caseworker support and housing placement. Stewpot CEO Jill Buckley has organized a relocation assistance meeting for Bloom residents on Tuesday from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Stewpot headquarters. Landlords and property owners are invited to attend and meet directly with residents in need of housing.
Blossom Apartments were declared non-compliant by Mississippi Home Corp, and residents were ordered to leave. When the eviction order was announced, Mayor Horhn saw a chance to ask for the water to be turned back on, because people living there didn’t have safe or clean conditions. Knowing the owner wouldn’t help people find new places to live, Mayor Horhn immediately reached out to local partners so they could work together to support the residents.
“Judge Wingate’s decision to turn the water back on gives us the critical time we need to help our neighbors get to a safe place,” Mayor Horhn said. “I appreciate his compassion and leadership, as well as the quick actions by Mississippi Home Corporation, Stewpot, Jackson Housing Authority, and Region 6 Housing Authority to step up for our residents.”
He added, “This has been a real team effort under tough circumstances. From nonprofit leaders to housing authorities, from local landlords to caring volunteers, the willingness to pull together for these families is what our community is all about.”
Residents of Bloom Apartments are encouraged to attend Tuesday’s relocation assistance meeting.
Kingfish note: The owner should be investigated and if cause exists, prosecuted for embezzlement.
3 comments:
Why are they waiting to have meeting
Tuesday when water is turned on through Wednesday?
Did they do the same for Chapel Ridge?
You don't hear the mayor talk about
helping the other apt chapel ridge. I
think they were gonna pull their water
meter cause a lot of water is being lost
there.
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