Jackson Mayor John Horhn issued the following statement.
In response to a water shutoff earlier today at Blossom Apartments, Mayor John Horhn has successfully worked with U.S. District Judge Henry Wingate to ensure residents have running water until August 20th, giving families time to arrange safe housing.
The Mayor acted swiftly, contacting Judge Wingate within hours of the shutoff to request another extension. The ruling allows city partners to continue relocation planning without forcing residents to live without basic sanitation.
The City of Jackson is working closely with the Mississippi Home Corporation, which is providing funding for new apartment deposits, first month’s rent, and moving costs. These resources are being distributed through Stewpot Community Services, which remains the lead organization in coordinating relocation, case management, and direct aid for affected tenants.
Additional support is coming from Region 6 Housing Authority fast-tracking housing vouchers, and Jackson Housing Authority, which is assigning caseworkers to guide residents through the transition process. Mayor Horhn attended arelocation assistance meeting for Blossom residents on Tuesday at Stewpot headquarters where landlords and property owners met with residents.
“No one in our city should ever face the prospect of losing basic services over circumstances beyond their control,” Mayor Horhn said. “Restoring water is just one piece of a bigger push to protect our residents, and we’re committed to standing by them every step of the way as they move toward safer homes.”
“I want to thank Judge Wingate for acting quickly to help keep water flowing for our residents while we work to get them into safe housing,” Mayor Horhn said.
Mayor Horhn emphasized that the situation at Blossom Apartments reflects a broader need for stronger protections for tenants. “We have to keep showing up for our residents and make sure housing in Jackson is safe, clean, and affordable,” he said.
The Mayor’s Housing Task Force will have its first meeting on Monday, August 18th.
16 comments:
Who, or what entity owns Blossom apartments? Why isn't the city and media blasting their name(s) loud and clear, and why hasn't someone filed a suit against them for unpaid bills. Inquiring mind would like to know
The mayor knew when the water was going to be shut off today according
to the order. Seems like he let the
order expire and didn't say anything
until the order expired
Tony Little is the owner. It’s no secret if you have been paying attention.
Good lord, where is the rock you have been living under? Keep up.
Im curious how much effort these people are putting into relocating themselves from their no rent and (now) free utilities apartments... they must realize the media attention has guaranteed they will not be without now.
As part of the 70% paying the bill, I don’t like raising rates before collections go up. However, I don’t see how he can do this if all the Mayor has to do is call his buddy to have it turned back on, we are back to square one.
The circumstances are difficult to navigate in a situation like this. We can all agree that the owner needs to be prosecuted or sued, just as we all can agree that free water doesn't need to be delivered when it's not being paid for. I live in Fondren and I pay the highest rate there is so I get it. Still, the tenants of that dump who have paid their bills responsibly don't deserve this and that makes it a humanitarian crisis. Mayor Horhn is facilitating what properly-run city government should be doing, with the citizens well-being at the forefront. COJ hasn't seen this direction in a very long time and I commend him.
Shitty troll comments from people who actually don't give a fuck either way in 3...2...1...
Continued extensions only write the playbook on how to manipulate Wingate. If this was the last one, great. If the Judge grants another, then all the (supposed) leverage from shutoffs will be squandered.
I live in Fondren and I pay the highest rate there is so I get it.
Really? Higher than someone elsewhere in Jackson? BS.
Why have people continued to stay there? I’d have been long gone.
They should have started helping move
the residents from the start cause they
knew the owner was not gonna pay his
bill.
If you a renter you can now call Jxn Water to see if the apt complex owes
a water bill.
Let the tenants stay, put a lein on the property, start collecting rent, there is not enough housing in jackson as it is. Collect for water bills and past due ones too.
What law gives Wingate the authority to stop them from cutting off the water. He’s not the king. He should be impeached
Sorry 6:15, but your call of BS could well be misplaced. While that was not me that made the comment, there is one neighborhood in Fondren that does pay a higher rathe than all the other homeowners in Jackson do based on Henifin's rate structure - and that is Woodland Hills.
The deverloper of Woodland Hills put a larger than normal water tap connection for the lots in this neighborhood although there is no good reason for needing that tap. This larger tap doesn't do anything regarding the amount of water used by the residents but the base fee is still a few hundred dollars higher each month than other residential uses.
Bailed out by taxpayers, as usual.
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