Brookhaven alderman is disappointed that Brookhaven missed out on a portion of $3 million toward housing improvements in the city.

Ward 5 Alderman James Magee Jr. expressed his feelings during the Board’s first meeting of November.

“These communities are in need of help with foundations, roofs, plumbing and electrical work that they are not able to do themselves,” Magee said.

In July 2023, Magee said in a Facebook post, “Elders of the City of Brookhaven, I come forward with a resolution authorizing and approving (with board support) the filing of applications” for 2023/2024 HOME Investment Partnership Program — Homeowner Rehabilitation/Reconstruction.

If approved by the program, funds may be used to assist existing homeowners with the rehab or rebuild of owner-occupied units. The home must be occupied by the owner as his or her main residence; proof through legal documentation is required. Property taxes must be current, and the owner’s gross income must be less than 80% of the median income (low and very-low income).

In April 2024, the City of Brookhaven announced it was considering applying to the Mississippi Home Corporation for funding through the HOME program. The State had allocated $3 million to be made available to cities and counties on a competitive basis.

In October, Mayor Joe Cox received a letter from MHC that Brookhaven had not been selected for this year’s program.

“Limited HOME funds made the selection very competitive,” the letter read. “MHC received 25 applications and was able to fund five (5) projects. Based upon the review and rating process established for the HOME program, your application did not score high enough to be funded. … We look forward to working with you if your community decides to apply again in the future.”

Apply again is exactly what Magee suggested the City do when the selection process reopens for the next round of MHC funds.

“There is still hope in the coming months, because we are reapplying for this program, and reaching out to U.S. Department of Agriculture Rural Development,” said Magee.