South Mississippi Housing and Development Corp. and The Michaels Organization Break Ground on Affordable Community

By Jessica Fiur, News Editor

Gulfport, Miss.—South Mississippi Housing and Development Corp. (SMHD) and The Michaels Organization have broken ground on McIntosh Homes, an independent-living affordable housing community for seniors in Gulfport, Miss. The project has a projected development cost of $8.6 million.

“Creating affordable housing opportunities, particularly in underserved rural areas, is so important to the residents of these communities, and we are very proud to partner with SMHD on this development,” Milton R. Pratt Jr., senior vice president of The Michaels Development Co., said in a press statement.

McIntosh Homes will offer 50 units, including 35 one-bedroom units and 15 two-bedroom units. The apartments will include ceiling fans, a refrigerator, electric range and oven, dishwasher, window coverings, air conditioning, washer and dryer connections and cable and Internet access. Of the units, 25 will be operated as project-based voucher units.

The community, which will be available for residents 62 years old or older with household incomes of less than 60 percent of the area median income, will be managed by Interstate Realty Management Co. Interstate Realty will provide residents with supportive services such as exercise and nutrition classes and on-site social and recreational activities. It will also host cultural excursions and educational workshops.

“McIntosh Homes is firmly rooted in a long-term commitment to improving the lives of seniors in need of affordable housing in Greene County,” Demetria Simpson, president and CEO of SMHD, said in a press statement. “We recognize the journey to this day has taken longer than most of us expected, but through the challenges, we have seen an unwavering dedication from the community, Mississippi Regional Housing No. VIII, Leakesville Mayor Garretson and many other local and state leaders. I am truly thankful to all these individuals for their much-needed support. And I also want to recognize the SMHD board for resolutely realizing the critical need to provide affordable housing to the seniors of Green County since the onset of this venture in 2008. They have been steadfast in their efforts to ensure that McIntosh Homes would, in fact, become a reality.”