In Jackson, Mississippi, Mary Russell is facing a heart-wrenching challenge as her childhood home on Huron Street falls into disrepair. Despite her efforts to maintain the property, financial constraints have left her struggling to prevent it from becoming another vacant structure contributing to the city’s blight.
The pink house holds deep sentimental value for Russell, as her mother passed away there. “I definitely don’t want to lose it because that’s all I got left of her,” she expressed.
Russell, who nearly lost the home due to unpaid taxes before catching up and transferring the property to her name, initially hired someone to make necessary repairs. Unfortunately, the contractor passed away unexpectedly, leaving the work unfinished. “I never found anybody affordable to come in and try to help me get it done,” she explained. “So now I’m at this point where it’s just gotten out of hand.”
The property has also become a target for vagrants. “It’s got two back doors, and we boarded it up. They took the boards down,” Russell said, noting that she will have to secure the home again.
Despite searching for resources online, Russell has found no viable solutions. “I would like to see it be fixed up, and I would love to live in it, but at this point, I just don’t have the finances to do it. I don’t want a handout. I just want help,” she said.
The City of Jackson offers some assistance through its Planning and Development Department, which administers the Limited Repair Program funded by HUD for minor house repairs to ensure a lead-safe environment for children. Another option, the Housing Rehabilitation Program, also funded by HUD, provides loans or grants for eligible homeowners. However, the funds are currently depleted, and the program is not accepting applications. Many Jackson residents, like Russell, are on a waiting list, hoping to preserve their family properties while managing their own household expenses.
