Housing (Homelessness)

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 2707 would have exempted registered homeless service providers from specific fees when assisting homeless individuals. It directly affects homeless persons by waiving civil court filing fees for altering birth/marriage certificates and driver's license/ID application fees. The bill amended Mississippi Code sections to implement these exemptions for registered providers under a Continuum of Care Program. The legislation died in committee on February 4, 2025, and was never enacted.

SB 2969 would exempt sales of tangible personal property to 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations that provide temporary housing for homeless persons from Mississippi's state sales tax. This directly affects qualifying homeless service nonprofits by removing a sales tax burden on their necessary purchases. The bill amends Mississippi's sales tax code to add this specific exemption category to existing tax exemptions for organizations like hospitals and educational groups. The bill was referred to the Finance Committee but died there on February 26, 2025, and did not become law.

HB 473 requires Mississippi's Department of Child Protection Services to establish a housing program for young adults aged 18-24 who were previously in foster care after age 16. The program provides emergency housing and supportive services to help these individuals maintain stable housing, aligning with federal homelessness definitions. It mandates the department to create rules, dedicate annual funding, and use state or federal resources (like Chafee Program funds) without discrimination based on race, gender, or disability. The law takes effect July 1, 2025, directly supporting vulnerable former foster youth transitioning to adulthood.

HB 505 creates the Mississippi Special Needs Housing Steering Council to develop and oversee a new state housing program. The council, composed of state agency leaders and community advocates (including a resident representative), will assist the Mississippi Home Corporation in designing housing solutions for individuals with mental illness, developmental disabilities, and other special needs populations - such as formerly incarcerated persons, people with HIV/AIDS, or homeless families - as defined by the council. Key provisions require the program to provide bridge funding and community-integrated housing, with funding sourced from the Mississippi Affordable Housing Development Fund or a dedicated sustainable source. The bill establishes a formal structure for coordination but does not directly change existing housing laws or funding levels.

HB 717 authorizes Mississippi's Commissioner of Public Safety to create an alternative state identification card for homeless individuals, removing the requirement for proof of address. The bill directly affects homeless Mississipians who lack a fixed residence, as defined by the law (including those living in shelters or temporary accommodations). Key provisions amend state code to allow this alternative ID without federal Real ID Act conflicts, while maintaining standard card validity periods and fee structures for other applicants. The bill does not change eligibility for non-homeless residents but specifically streamlines ID access for those experiencing homelessness.

HB 1346 creates two new bodies within Mississippi's Department of Human Services: an Interagency Task Force on Homelessness and a Community Advisory Council on Homelessness. The Task Force (comprising state agency leaders) must develop a statewide plan to reduce homelessness and improve housing stability, while the Advisory Council (with community members including people with lived experience of homelessness) provides annual recommendations to the Task Force. Both entities are required to submit annual reports to the Governor and Legislature, starting in 2025. The bill died in committee on February 4, 2025, and has not become law.