Members of the Poor People’s Campaign are gathered outside of the Governor’s Mansion in Jackson demanding that Tate Reeves rescind his order that will send millions of rental assistance dollars back to the federal government. Now, Mississippians have until the 15th to apply for the Rental Assistance for Mississippians Program. Attorney Jaribu Hill spoke at the rally.
“People are being evicted. We need time to get people signed up. So we’re appealing to you Governor Tate Reeves to do the right thing,” says Hill. “Suspend the deadline. Give people time to apply, and advocate for more resources to come into this state.”
The decision by the governor was announced last week as he ordered the Mississippi Home Corporation to return an estimated $130 million to the U.S. Department of Treasury. He says the ending of RAMP will encourage Mississippians to get back into the workforce. But Jackson resident Sandi Tullos, who faces home insecurity, says people like herself aren’t sitting idle.
Tullos says “That is crazy. It is. Because I work. There are people who work who really need this program. I don’t sit at home. I hold a full time job, and I am a student. For him to say that is ludicrous.”
Experts say ending RAMP could cause some Mississippians to lose their homes because they can not afford rent. If someone has already qualified for RAMP benefits, they will continue to receive those for up to 15 months.
