Best Housing & Financial in Mississippi — 16 resources

About Housing & Financial for Women

Housing and financial assistance for women combines federal programs (HUD, TANF, SNAP, LIHEAP) with state and local efforts. Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers and public housing are administered by local Public Housing Authorities (PHAs), with VAWA giving survivors of domestic violence priority and emergency transfer rights. Emergency shelter and rapid rehousing run through HUD's Continuum of Care and Coordinated Entry. Mothers with custodial children typically qualify for TANF cash assistance and family-priority housing. Community action agencies and 211 lines coordinate utility help, emergency funds, and rent assistance. This directory covers PHAs, shelter systems, 211 referral lines, and community action agencies.

Housing & Financial in Mississippi

Mississippi chancery courts handle divorce and custody in all 82 counties, with county courts handling some child support matters. The Division of Child Support Enforcement operates under MDHS. Jackson, Gulfport, Southaven, and Hattiesburg are the largest cities. Mississippi Center for Justice, North Mississippi Rural Legal Services, and the Mississippi Coalition Against Domestic Violence support women.

16 Resources

1. Mississippi Home Corporation — Free

State programs for affordable housing and homeownership assistance for low-income women and families. Jackson is the operating base; the location at 735 Riverside Dr is open to walk-in inquiries and scheduled appointments alike. 601-718-4642 is the best starting point—leave a clear message with your county and a callback number if you reach voicemail. Open mon-fri 8am-5pm; services are free to qualifying Mississippi residents.

601-718-4642 · 735 Riverside Dr, Jackson, MS 39202 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

2. Mississippi Department of Human Services — TANF — Free

Temporary Assistance for Needy Families and financial aid for qualifying women. Service is administered statewide in Mississippi, with county-level access points and intake handled by the central office line. Call 800-948-3050 to confirm what to bring and whether the intake list is open for new cases. Open mon-fri 8am-5pm; services are free to qualifying Mississippi residents.

800-948-3050 · Statewide Offices · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

3. Habitat for Humanity Mississippi Capital Area — Free

Affordable homeownership program for qualifying families. Based at 615 Stonewall St in Jackson, the office serves Hinds, Madison, and Rankin county women and families. Call 601-353-6060 to confirm what to bring and whether the intake list is open for new cases. Useful background before contacting a Mississippi chancery court, MDHS office, or community provider. Open mon-fri 8am-5pm; services are free to qualifying Mississippi residents.

601-353-6060 · 615 Stonewall St, Jackson, MS 39213 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

4. Mississippi 211 — Housing Assistance — Free

Dial 211 for housing referrals and emergency assistance statewide for low-income women and families. Dialing 211 routes you to a Mississippi 211 specialist who can locate the nearest pantry, shelter, or program for your county—operators are trained to triage MDHS, Medicaid, and TANF questions on the same call. LIHEAP heating and cooling assistance in Mississippi opens seasonally through community action agencies. Available 24/7 at no cost.

211 · Statewide Service · 24/7

5. Salvation Army — Mississippi Housing — Free

Emergency shelter and housing programs for women and families. LIHEAP heating and cooling assistance in Mississippi opens seasonally through community action agencies. 601-969-7560 is the best starting point—leave a clear message with your county and a callback number if you reach voicemail. Open mon-fri 9am-5pm; services are free to qualifying Mississippi residents.

601-969-7560 · Jackson, MS · Mon-Fri 9am-5pm · Visit Website

6. Central Mississippi Inc. — Housing Programs — Free

Community action agency with housing assistance in central MS for low-income women and families. Based at 130 Canal St in Jackson, the office serves Hinds, Madison, and Rankin county women and families. Call 601-969-2611 to confirm what to bring and whether the intake list is open for new cases. Open mon-fri 8am-5pm; services are free to qualifying Mississippi residents.

601-969-2611 · 130 Canal St, Jackson, MS 39216 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm

7. United Way — Emergency Financial Assistance — Free

Emergency financial help for housing and utilities for low-income women and families. LIHEAP heating and cooling assistance in Mississippi opens seasonally through community action agencies. Reach the office at 601-948-4725; early-morning calls land you faster than mid-afternoon ones. Open mon-fri 8am-5pm; services are free to qualifying Mississippi residents.

601-948-4725 · Jackson, MS 39202 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm

8. Gulf Coast Community Action Agency — Housing — Free

Housing assistance for families on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Based at 1750 23rd Ave in Gulfport, the office serves Harrison, Hancock, and Jackson coastal women and families. Call 228-896-3811 to confirm what to bring and whether the intake list is open for new cases. Choctaw community members and rural Mississippi families can both access the same intake process. Open mon-fri 8am-5pm; services are free to qualifying Mississippi residents.

228-896-3811 · 1750 23rd Ave, Gulfport, MS 39501 · Mon-Fri 8am-5pm · Visit Website

9. HUD.gov — Find Local Office — Free

Federal housing assistance hub. Section 8, public housing, homeless services, and HUD office locator for every state for low-income women and families. The website is the main entry point and covers Mississippi alongside every other state—no Mississippi-specific signup is required to read the guidance or use the directory. Visit www.hud.gov for guides, forms, or to start an application without needing an account. Free to use and available any time of day.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

10. HUD Homeless Resources — Free

Federal homeless assistance programs and Continuum of Care contacts in every community for low-income women and families. Although the organization is national, the resources translate cleanly to Mississippi cases and reference Mississippi-specific agencies where relevant. Visit www.hud.gov/program_offices/comm_planning/coc for guides, forms, or to start an application without needing an account. Free to use and available any time of day.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

11. LIHEAP — Energy Assistance — Free

Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program — help with heating, cooling, and weatherization in every state for low-income women and families. A useful resource to read before contacting a Mississippi agency, so you arrive with a sharper question and clearer expectations. Visit www.acf.hhs.gov/ocs/programs/liheap for guides, forms, or to start an application without needing an account. Free to use and available any time of day.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

12. Salvation Army — Find Help — Free

Emergency shelter, rent assistance, food, utilities, and transitional housing in nearly every US community for low-income women and families. Although the organization is national, the resources translate cleanly to Mississippi cases and reference Mississippi-specific agencies where relevant. Visit www.salvationarmyusa.org/usn for guides, forms, or to start an application without needing an account. Free to use and available any time of day.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

13. Catholic Charities USA — Free

Emergency assistance, housing, food, and family support — local agency in nearly every diocese nationwide. The website is the main entry point and covers Mississippi alongside every other state—no Mississippi-specific signup is required to read the guidance or use the directory. Visit www.catholiccharitiesusa.org for guides, forms, or to start an application without needing an account. Free to use and available any time of day.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

14. United Way Worldwide — Free

Local United Ways provide housing assistance, food, financial coaching and 211 referrals for low-income women and families. The website is the main entry point and covers Mississippi alongside every other state—no Mississippi-specific signup is required to read the guidance or use the directory. Visit www.unitedway.org for guides, forms, or to start an application without needing an account. Free to use and available any time of day.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

15. Habitat for Humanity — Free

Affordable homeownership opportunities for working families in every state. Although the organization is national, the resources translate cleanly to Mississippi cases and reference Mississippi-specific agencies where relevant. Visit www.habitat.org for guides, forms, or to start an application without needing an account. Free to use and available any time of day.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

16. Family Promise — Free

National network helping homeless families achieve sustainable independence through community-based programs. A useful resource to read before contacting a Mississippi agency, so you arrive with a sharper question and clearer expectations. Visit familypromise.org for guides, forms, or to start an application without needing an account. Free to use and available any time of day.

Nationwide · Online · Visit Website

Frequently Asked

How many housing & financial resources are in Mississippi?
Women's Corner tracks 16 housing & financial resources for women in Mississippi.
Are housing & financial resources in Mississippi free?
16 of the 16 listed housing & financial resources in Mississippi are explicitly free or low-cost.
Which cities in Mississippi have housing & financial resources?
Listings span cities including Jackson, Gulfport.
What are some examples of housing & financial resources in Mississippi?
Featured entries include Mississippi Home Corporation, Mississippi Department of Human Services — TANF, Habitat for Humanity Mississippi Capital Area, Mississippi 211 — Housing Assistance, Salvation Army — Mississippi Housing.
Do these listings include phone numbers?
8 of 16 Mississippi housing & financial listings include phone numbers.
How long is the Section 8 waitlist?
It varies wildly — a few months in smaller markets, 5+ years in cities like LA, NYC, and DC. Apply to multiple Public Housing Authorities (PHAs) in your region. PHAs give preference to families with children, domestic violence survivors, veterans, and homeless applicants — make sure you check every preference box you qualify for.
What does 211 do?
211 is a free, 24/7 nationwide referral line run by United Way. Call or text 211 to reach a live specialist who connects you to local rent assistance, utility help, food, childcare, transportation, and emergency funds. They know the small local funds Google won't show you. Always start here in a financial emergency.
Can I get TANF as a single mother?
Yes — TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) is the main cash assistance program for low-income parents with minor children. Apply through your state's Department of Human/Social Services. Benefits, time limits, and work requirements vary by state. You can receive TANF and SNAP, Medicaid, WIC, and childcare assistance simultaneously.
What if I'm being evicted?
Call 211 and your local legal aid office the same day you're served — most states have Emergency Rental Assistance programs through the LIHEAP/ERA pipeline that can pay back rent. You have the right to a court hearing before eviction — don't move out before the hearing. DV survivors have additional protections under VAWA that block eviction based on the abuse.