Hancock Resource Center helping Gulf Grove residents after condemnation

The day for Gulf Grove apartment residents to vacate has come and gone, but some have nowhere to go.

Now, the Hancock Resource Center is reminding people that there are still opt

ions available.

“So, if you take a family and all of the sudden you’re going to move them… you’re talking about they’ve paid their rent that month,” said housing program manager, Linda Davis. “But now they have to have a deposit, another month’s rent, they have to have moving fees… and it starts adding up.”

Linda Davis knows that this is the reality of evictions, which is why Hancock Resource Center and the South Mississippi Housing Authority are assisting residents with finding new homes.

So far, they have made contact with about 30 of the 51 residents, like 15-year resident Archie Thomas.

“If it wouldn’t be for them, I wouldn’t be where I’m at because it’s been hard,” Thomas said. “I filled out 20 applications, but I couldn’t get in anywhere. Until I came here. They saw I was getting help and I needed it… and now I’m moving into a place today.”

But Davis wants to be sure that everyone has a place to land.

“We’re not closing the doors. We’re gonna be open. [We’re not closing] just because today is the end of the month and the city is going through with the vacating,” she said. “Please move forward. Contact us, and we will continue to help you. With the housing authority, their vouchers will be available for the next few months also.”

Housing Authority is giving Gulf Grove Residents top priority for assistance and housing vouchers.

For assistance, all you need to do is give the Hancock Resource Center a call at (228)463-8887.