Reports - Mississippi Renewal

170 | ROAD MAP TO ACCOUNTABILITYRECOMMENDATIONS21 Private fi nance initiatives should be developed whereby the government provides an annuity stream to private concerns to help themundertake development efforts that would not otherwise be profi table.Responsible Entities and Funding SourcesHUD, state and local governments, the Mississippi Home Corporation,the CDE, and private developers. Funded through federal,state, or local governments, or by non-profi t foundation grants.22 Public and private funds should be used to create non-profi t community land trusts (CLTs) that would maintain land for affordable housing. State and local governments. Funding available through federalagencies such as HUD, the State, local governments, NGOs,developers, and local businesses23 Fannie Mae should combine energy-effi cient mortgage programs and location-effi cient mortgage programs, along with a housing durabilitycomponent, into a single housing effi ciency mortgage product.24 Private mortgage companies should be encouraged to reduce their lending rates for affordable housing that is effi cient with respect tolong-term maintenance needs, water usage, energy usage, and location.The state and Fannie Mae. Funding available through FannieMae, Department of Energy, and EPA.The Mississippi Home Corporation, the CDE, and privatecompanies. Funding available through Fannie Mae, Departmentof Energy, and EPA.25 Insurance companies should be encouraged to reduce their risk premiums for housing that exceeds basic water and wind safety codes. Mississippi Department of Insurance26 Local governments should offer lower property tax rates after 2008 for all homes that reduce their needs for infrastructure. The Mississippi State Tax Commission, working in conjunctionwith the Mississippi Public Service Commission and the MississippiDevelopment Authority27 The state and/or the federal government should consider directly subsidizing housing improvements designed to make affordable homeseven more affordable by reducing energy and water expenses, maintenance costs, and transportation costs.28 The state legislature should create an entity responsible for coordinating the overall effort to rebuild affordable housing within the Katrinaaffectedcounties.29 An entity should be established to identify, collect, prioritize, and disburse available funding sources for the development and renewal ofaffordable housing.Federal agencies such as HUD, EPA, or DOE and/or stateagencies. Funding would be provided by federal or state agenciesresponsible for the programs.State legislature. Funded by state and federal sources.State government. Funding available through state and federalfunding mechanisms.30 An entity should be created capable of offering educational outreach on a variety of issues to residents, developers, and communities. State government or non-profi t entity. Funded by federalprograms and non-profi t foundations.31 A program should be developed for training local, qualifi ed contractors to build quality affordable housing. State government or non-profi t entity. Funded by Departmentof Commerce, the Small Business Administration, or the NationalInstitute of Standards and Technology.32 An improved capacity for building code offi cials along the Coast should be created. State and local governments. Funded by federal agencies suchas HUD or FEMA.33 Housing decisions should be coordinated with infrastructure planning. Local governments34 The Governor’s Commission Housing Committee should be extended for three to six months, during which time it will fulfi ll the responsibilitiesoutlined in the "Housing Recovery Oversight" recommendation.Governor’s Commission35 A statewide, private non-profi t "community development entity" (CDE) should be developed. Governor and state legislature. Funding through state and federalfunding sources.36 A regional planning authority spanning the six counties most affected by Katrina should be created. State governmentPUBLIC SERVICES1 The state legislature should create a regional utility authority for the purpose of managing sewer, water, storm water, and other utilityservices across the six southern counties.2 The state should not only require regional plans where appropriate but should consolidate grant funds into a Regional Services Fund. State government3 The governor, or his designee, should use all appropriate infl uence to insist that state and federal agencies use their grant resources tosupport regionalism.4 When seeking improvements and replacements to the emergency communications systems within South Mississippi, local governmentsshould work with the Wireless Commission as it seeks to develop a statewide system and improve interoperability.State legislature. Funded by state and USDA.GovernorLocal governments5 The Wireless Commission should issue a request for proposals to develop a statewide wireless communication system. Wireless Commission. Funded by federal grants, user fees, andstate bonds.