August 9, 2024, marked a significant milestone for at least five families who survived the massive tornado that hit Rolling Fork, Mississippi, on March 9, 2023. Due to a collaboration between the Community Foundation of Northwest Mississippi, Boss Lady Planning and Development, and NFL great and philanthropist Archie Manning, these previous renters are now homeowners. “Olivia and I are pleased to support the efforts of the Community Foundation of Northwest Mississippi and ‘Boss Lady’ Pam Chatman in providing housing to tornado victims,” said Manning, a native of neighboring Drew, MS.
According to Keith Fulcher, president of the Community Foundation of Northwest Mississippi, “When I was contacted by Archie Manning who said he wanted to help the Rolling Fork tornado victims, I immediately knew I needed to call the ‘Boss Lady’ Pam Chatman to get the ball rolling.” Boss Lady Planning & Development has been a stalwart in the Delta helping citizens with transportation to COVID-19 clinics to get vaccinations (VTI) and Workforce Transportation (WTI).
In the aftermath of the 2023 massive tornado, survivors were left with no place to live. Most survivors were renting homes and had never experienced homeownership due to generational poverty in the land that had been worked by their ancestors on plantations.
“With homeownership being the first step towards building generational wealth it was imperative that many of these tornado survivors be provided a method to create sustainable wealth. Therefore, homeownership was a no-brainer,” said Chatman. “The mobile homes will be valued at approximately $100,000 each. We will provide our new homeowners with the knowledge about how they move forward now that they won’t have to worry about paying rent or paying a mortgage note.
“We will provide education regarding homeownership such as homeowner upkeep, property taxes, and flood insurance. A walk-through was conducted in each home to identify and make a notation of HVAC systems, how to operate new appliances, etc.,” said Chatman.
Mayor Eldridge “Butch” Walker and Jacqueline Hughes with the city of Rolling Fork Disaster Taskforce assisted the partnerships of Boss Lady Planning & Development, the Community Foundation of Northwest Mississippi, and FEMA to identify potential recipients. The new homes are being provided through the FEMA Housing Sales Department. These three and two-bedroom homes are of varying sizes according to the specific needs of each family.
FEMA reports that the homeownership program will be an ongoing effort not just the five initial homes that were presented last week at a ribbon-cutting ceremony held at the Duke Trailer Park in Anguilla, Mississippi.
For additional information regarding the homeownership program and how to apply, call Pam Chatman at the Boss Lady Planning & Development at 662-588-2019.
