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Mississippi Institute for Disability Studies - Home of Your Own housing program celebrating 20th Year Anniversary (MS UCEDD)

By: Cassie Hicks, IDS Director of Housing

November 13, 2017

2017 is a milestone year as the Institute for Disability Studies (IDS)' Mississippi Home of Your Own (HOYO) program celebrates its 20th year anniversary. The quote from John Lewis "If not us, then who? If not now, then when?" stood out to me several years back when I came to work for IDS, hoping to make a difference in our state for this underserved population. Now, as I reflect back on the history of this program, I can say that it's been impactful, rewarding and a valuable asset to the state of Mississippi in empowering persons/families with disabilities to live their dream of home ownership. Persons with disabilities and their families who felt left out of the opportunity to gain wealth through home ownership, saw that opportunity afforded to them through the HOYO program and its funders, like Mississippi Development Authority, Mississippi Home Corporation, City of Jackson and Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas.

This year, IDS reported that the HOYO Program has assisted over 700 families to achieve home ownership in 66 of Mississippi's 82 counties. The program is trending a less than 2% foreclosure rate (well below the national average) and IDS is one of the top providers in the state for home buyer education classes to potential buyers on how to be successful homeowners.

Through my work as the IDS Director of Housing, I can truly say "well done to our staff and everyone that supported the HOYO program to be successful in providing quality counseling service to Mississippians through our housing programs and making a difference in our state!"

To learn more about the HOYO Program, call the Hattiesburg IDS office at 1.601.266.5163 option 1. You can also learn about the program on the IDS website at https://www.usm.edu/disability-studies/housing-home-your-own-hoyo-overview. IDS is Mississippi's University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities (UCEDD) and has a mission to enhance the quality of life across the life span for citizens with disabilities and their families, regardless of culture, ethnicity, or socioeconomic background.