Mississippi Home of Your Own (HOYO), an award-winning program of the University of Southern Mississippi Institute for Disability Studies, received a Governor’s Communities of Excellence Award on Monday, March 26, during an awards ceremony at the Mississippi State Capitol.
The University of Southern Mississippi Institute for Disability Studies received the Governor’s Communities of Excellence Award for the Best Home Investment Partnership Homebuyer Assistance at a ceremony at the Mississippi State Capitol on March 26. Royal Walker, center, executive director of the Institute and director of the Institute’s housing initiative, receives the award on behalf of the Institute from, Dr. Eugene McLemore, left, director of the Community Services Division of the Mississippi Development Authority, and Gray Swoope, right, executive director of the Mississippi Development Authority.
The Governor’s Communities of Excellence Awards showcase Mississippi’s communities that have creatively utilized funds provided through the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program, Home Investment Partnership Program (HOME) and other programs administered through the Mississippi Development Authority’s Community Services Division. Criteria for the winning projects are spin-off effects, beneficiaries, innovative financing, uniqueness and creativity, community impact, beneficiary satisfaction and design layout.
HOYO, celebrating its 10th anniversary as a statewide homebuyer assistance program, received the Best Home Investment Partnership Homebuyer Assistance Award for its work with individuals with disabilities. Since 1997, HOYO has assisted more than155 individuals and their families living in 35 counties in becoming home owners. HOYO is a second-time recipient of the award, having won a Governor’s Communities of Excellence Award in 2002.
“This award really belongs to all of the partners who work with us to assist individuals with disabilities and their families to achieve the American dream of homeownership,” said Royal Walker, associate director of the Institute and director of the Institute’s housing initiative. Walker received the award at the ceremony on behalf of the Institute from Gray Swoope, executive director of the Mississippi Development Authority
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