The following is in response to recent development proposals concerning tax credits from Mississippi Home Corp.

We understand a major change has occurred in the application process as a result of Gulf Opportunity Zone incentives, namely that tax credit housing developments can occur throughout the 49 counties as opposed to Qualified Census Tracts, or QCTs, within the state. In Meridian, we understand this means that the entire city is considered a “Difficult to Develop Area,” whereas, up until this year, Qualified Census Tracts were given a priority.

As a homeowner and lifelong resident of downtown Meridian, within a QCT, I know first-hand the need for new affordable housing within our QCTs. We believe that our Qualified Census Tracts are in need of new affordable housing, and this is where we desire the proposed housing tax credit development to occur.

Furthermore, presently we do not have a market analysis that covers the city as a whole. I’m sure individual market analyses are being developed that support individual projects, but, without an overall analysis, we do not know how many housing units we can support.

To our knowledge, none of the proposed tax credit sites are located within QCTs. The locations that we are aware of are in areas that are already highly marketable and will undoubtedly be developed without the advantage of tax credits from Mississippi Home Corp. The city offers subdivision incentives that we feel will assist development of these areas.

In summary, we support the development of affordable housing in Meridian, and we appreciate Mississippi Home Corp. tax credit assistance in support of this development; however, we strongly support this development within Qualified Census Tracts, where it is needed. We are currently in the process of identifying appropriate sites and are committed to working with Mississippi Home Corp. to review restrictions that could possibly be eased to make these QCT sites available for development.



John Robert Smith

Mayor

City of Meridian