Mississippi to stop accepting applications for rent relief program

AUGUST 15TH, THAT’S WHEN THE STATE STOPS ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR THAT FEDERAL RENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM. THE GOVERNOR CLEARLY TAKING ANOTHER CLEAR SHOT AT JOE BIDEN AND HIS ADMINISTRATION FOR WHAT HE SAYS IS A PROGRAM THAT TRIES TO GET PEOPLE IN INSTEAD OF NOT TO WORK. WE ARE STILL HAVE TOO MANY PEOPLE IN OUR STATE THAT ARE BEING PAID NOT TO WORK. THE GOVERNOR SAYS HE IS ORDERING THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI TO BACK OUT OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT’S EMERGENCY RENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM, ARGUING THE EMERGENCY OF THE PANDEMIC IS OVER. TODAY, THE PROGRAM IS ESSENTIALLY, IF FOR WHATEVER REASON, YOU CAN’T OR DON’T WANT TO PAY YOUR RENT OR UTILITY BILL, THAT THE TAXPAYERS WILL PAY THEM FOR YOU. WHILE THE FEDERAL PROGRAM CONTINUES, AS REEVES ARGUES, IT IS HINDERING THE STATES ABILITY TO GET PEOPLE BACK TO WORK. I THINK IT WILL ENCOURAGE INDIVIDUALS THAT PERHAPS ARE CURRENTLY GETTING THEIR RENT PAID FOR UP TO 15 MONTHS. IT WILL ENCOURAGE THEM THAT AT THE POINT AT WHICH THAT NO LONGER IS BEING PAID, THAT IT’S GOING TO ENCOURAGE THEM AND INCENTIVIZE THEM TO GET BACK INTO THE WORKFORCE. SINCE THE PANDEMIC PROGRAM STARTED, THE STATE SAYS IT HAS RECEIVED MORE THAN 86,000 APPLICATIONS AND APPROVED CLOSE TO 37,000 REQUESTS. THE GOVERNOR SAYS THAT PROGRAM HAS GIVEN PEOPLE AN INCENTIVE NOT TO RETURN TO THE WORKFORCE. AND STARTING AUGUST 15TH, THE STATE STOPS ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS FOR THAT FEDERALLY FUNDED PROGRAM. OBVIOUSLY, THIS IS POLITICAL ECONOMYAND PART OF THE GOVERNOR, DEMOCRAT STATE SENATOR JOHN HORNE FROM JACKSON SAYS IT IS A BAD IDEA TO END THE PROGRAM. SO FAR, MORE THAN 200 MILLION, HE SAYS, HAS BEEN SPENT OR ALLOCATED FOR RENTAL ASSISTANCE. AND SOME PEOPLE NEED THAT MONEY. YOU DON’T NEED TO POLITICIZE THE WORKING POOR. WE DON’T NEED TO POLITICIZE THE BOARD, AND WE DON’T NEED TO POLITICIZE AS LANDLORDS WHO ARE JUSTIFIABLY TRYING TO BE PAID FOR RENT THAT THEY’RE OWED. THE GOVERNOR SAYS THOSE PEOPLE WHO GET THEIR APPLICATIONS IN BEFORE THE 15TH AND ARE ELIGIBLE IS STILL ENTER THE PROGRAM. SENATOR HORNE SAYS THE STATE STILL HAS ABOUT $160 MILLION OF THAT FEDERAL MONEY TO SPEND IN THESE PROGRAMS. THE GOVERNOR SAYS IF THEY DON’T USE IT, THEY’LL SEND IT BACK TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT. LIVE AT THE STAT

Mississippi is opting out of a federal program that helps pay rent and utility bills.Gov. Tate Reeves said the Mississippi Home Corporation will stop accepting applications on Aug. 15, in an effort to encourage people to get back into the workforce."If you've already applied for the program, today's announcement will have no effect (on that application)," Reeves said during a news conference Wednesday. Reeves said after all the applications for the Rental Assistance for Mississippians have been processed, the remaining money will be returned to the federal government. The program was originally designed to help those affected by COVID-19. In Mississippi, it can pay up to 15 months of rental assistance. Reeves said the program changed when it was renewed."It strayed widely from initial purpose and intent," Reeves said. The governor said the program no longer requires applicants to show proof that they can't pay rent or utility bills due to a hardship due to COVID-19.Reeves said since RAMP was launched, Mississippi received 86,000 applications, with 36,000 being approved and 32,000 denied or withdrawn. The rest of the applications are still being processed."What those numbers tell you is there are a large number of Mississippi families that have benefited from this program. As the program is in effect longer and longer — this is somewhat anecdotal, but not entirely — the percentage of those that are applying are flagged for fraud," Reeves said. Mississippi saw fraud from some people who wrongly sought unemployment benefits, which the governor said the state is working to recover. He said some of the RAMP applications that were denied or withdrawn were also identified for potential fraud.Other programs, including emergency solutions grants and low-income home energy assistance programs that were in place before the pandemic will remain in place, the governor said.Reeves said Mississippi is doing great financially and bringing in new jobs. In addition, the state is offering training for those seeking to return to the workforce or to find better-paying jobs."We still have too many people in our state who are getting paid not to work. Mississippi has invested millions of dollars in job training," Reeves said. "Because of that training, there is a job available for almost everyone who wants to work."The CEO of the Mississippi Center for Justice, Vangela M. Wade, issued a statement against the governor's decision, calling it "heartless and utterly devoid of any reason.""Mississippians are working – and working hard. But our leaders keep depriving them of basic tools to survive, trapping them in an endless cycle of poverty." said Wade.

JACKSON, Miss. —

Mississippi is opting out of a federal program that helps pay rent and utility bills.

Gov. Tate Reeves said the Mississippi Home Corporation will stop accepting applications on Aug. 15, in an effort to encourage people to get back into the workforce.

"If you've already applied for the program, today's announcement will have no effect (on that application)," Reeves said during a news conference Wednesday.

Reeves said after all the applications for the Rental Assistance for Mississippians have been processed, the remaining money will be returned to the federal government.

The program was originally designed to help those affected by COVID-19. In Mississippi, it can pay up to 15 months of rental assistance. Reeves said the program changed when it was renewed.

"It strayed widely from initial purpose and intent," Reeves said.

The governor said the program no longer requires applicants to show proof that they can't pay rent or utility bills due to a hardship due to COVID-19.

Reeves said since RAMP was launched, Mississippi received 86,000 applications, with 36,000 being approved and 32,000 denied or withdrawn. The rest of the applications are still being processed.

"What those numbers tell you is there are a large number of Mississippi families that have benefited from this program. As the program is in effect longer and longer — this is somewhat anecdotal, but not entirely — the percentage of those that are applying are flagged for fraud," Reeves said.

Mississippi saw fraud from some people who wrongly sought unemployment benefits, which the governor said the state is working to recover. He said some of the RAMP applications that were denied or withdrawn were also identified for potential fraud.

Other programs, including emergency solutions grants and low-income home energy assistance programs that were in place before the pandemic will remain in place, the governor said.

Reeves said Mississippi is doing great financially and bringing in new jobs. In addition, the state is offering training for those seeking to return to the workforce or to find better-paying jobs.

"We still have too many people in our state who are getting paid not to work. Mississippi has invested millions of dollars in job training," Reeves said. "Because of that training, there is a job available for almost everyone who wants to work."

The CEO of the Mississippi Center for Justice, Vangela M. Wade, issued a statement against the governor's decision, calling it "heartless and utterly devoid of any reason."

"Mississippians are working – and working hard. But our leaders keep depriving them of basic tools to survive, trapping them in an endless cycle of poverty." said Wade.

Mississippi to stop accepting applications for rent relief program

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