Housing

HB 1201 creates a 25% income tax credit for developers who rehabilitate blighted, tax-forfeited properties in Mississippi, requiring costs to exceed $50,000 for owner-occupied homes or $100,000 for commercial buildings. The credit applies to eligible properties declared unsafe by local authorities and placed into use as residences or businesses within 36 months. Developers can carry forward unused credit amounts for up to 10 years if the credit exceeds their annual tax liability, or opt for a 75% rebate instead. This law directly affects developers who redevelop qualifying properties, aiming to increase property values and community safety through tax incentives.

SB 2328 clarifies eviction procedures for residential tenants and RV park residents in Mississippi. It requires landlords to provide tenants 72 hours after a court-ordered removal to retrieve personal property, and mandates law enforcement to physically remove occupants (not just post notices) to hand possession to landlords. The bill also establishes specific rules for RV park removals, allowing owners to remove residents for certain violations but prohibiting removal based on race, disability, or other protected characteristics. Tenants must still be given access to their property during the 72-hour period following removal.

HB 1801 increases funding for Sunflower County's homeless services by allowing the Board of Supervisors to supplement an annual $40,000 contribution to the Sunflower County Ministerial Alliance Counseling Service (a nonprofit that runs the Transition Center). The bill permits the county to add funds equal to what municipalities, faith groups, or private citizens contribute specifically for the Transition Center's daily operations. This directly supports the county's facility serving homeless residents. The law expires on July 1, 2026.

SB 2413 renames Mississippi's hurricane damage mitigation program to the "Strengthen Mississippi Homes Program" and increases financial grants for property owners to $15,000 per home to retrofit structures against wind and hurricane damage. The bill removes requirements for cost-benefit studies and an advisory council, while directing insurance companies to notify clients about the program within 30 days of filing discount schedules. Funding comes from a new fee structure: half of the $50 fee for processing agent certificates (effective 2025) goes into the dedicated "Strengthen Mississippi Homes Fund." This program directly affects single-family homeowners and commercial property owners seeking to reduce vulnerability to wind/hurricane damage.