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Housing assistance in Mississippi

Mississippi has no statewide rent-assistance program; federal housing aid is largely delivered through regional housing authorities (such as Mississippi Regional Housing Authority VI in Jackson and South Mississippi Housing Authority in Gulfport) alongside city housing authorities. Energy bill help (LIHEAP) is run by the Mississippi Department of Human Services and delivered through local Community Action Agencies, and free civil legal help comes from two regional legal services programs.

Last checked Sources

Where to apply for rental assistance and vouchers

Section 8 vouchers and public housing are run by local public housing agencies (PHAs). Each keeps its own waiting list, so apply to every agency serving places you could live. The state housing finance agency funds affordable apartments and homebuyer programs but usually does not take voucher applications.

Mississippi Regional Housing Authority VIJacksonPublic housing agencySouth Mississippi Housing AuthorityGulfportPublic housing agencyMississippi Regional Housing Authority VIIMcCombPublic housing agency Mississippi Home CorporationStatewideHousing finance agency Every housing agency in MississippiHUD directoryFind agencies serving your area

Ask each agency: Is the waiting list open? How do I apply, and how will you contact me? Never pay to apply or to move up a list. See how to apply for Section 8 and how waiting lists work.

Programs and free legal help in Mississippi

Energy and utility bills

  • Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) Mississippi Department of Human Services, Division of Community Services

    Helps households at or below 60% of state median income with home energy bills and energy crises. Submit a pre-application on the Access MS portal (select "Community Services"), then finish the application with your local Community Action Agency.

    Call 1-800-421-0762

Free legal help

  • MSLegalServices.org Mississippi Center for Legal Services and North Mississippi Rural Legal Services

    Statewide guide to free civil legal help for low-income people and seniors, with landlord-tenant and eviction information. North MS Rural Legal Services: 1-800-898-8731; Mississippi Center for Legal Services (south MS): 1-800-519-2915.

Buying a home

No statewide emergency rent program? Most rent help is local. Call 211 and ask which county, charity, or community action programs are taking applications now. See emergency rental assistance.

Key tenant laws in Mississippi

Statewide rules for most private rentals. Cities, counties, subsidized housing, and your lease can add protections, and some rules have exceptions. Read the linked law before relying on a deadline.

Security deposit limit

No statutory cap on the amount of a security deposit.

Miss. Code Ann. § 89-8-21

Deposit return deadline

Within 45 days after the tenancy ends and the tenant demands return of the deposit; any deductions must be itemized in writing. Bad-faith retention can cost the landlord up to $200 in damages plus actual damages.

Miss. Code Ann. § 89-8-21

Notice before an eviction for unpaid rent

3 days' written notice demanding payment of rent or possession before the landlord can seek eviction. Notice by email or text counts only if the tenant agreed in writing to that method.

Miss. Code Ann. § 89-7-27

Landlord entry notice

No statute sets an entry-notice period; according to Mississippi legal services, a landlord may enter only if the lease reserves that right. Check the lease.

Rent increases and rent control

State law bars municipalities from regulating residential rent amounts without prior legislative approval.

Miss. Code Ann. § 21-17-5(2)(h)

If the landlord won’t make repairs

Repair-and-deduct is allowed: if the landlord fails to fix a material defect within 30 days of written notice, a tenant who is current on rent may make the repair and deduct the cost. The cost cannot exceed one month's rent, and the remedy can be used only once every six months.

Miss. Code Ann. § 89-8-15

This is general information, not legal advice. If you have a notice or court papers, contact legal aid right away. See facing eviction, security deposit rights, and repairs and habitability.

Phone lines that serve Mississippi

More local contacts: HUD’s Mississippi resource page.

Next steps

  1. Urgent? If you need shelter tonight or have an eviction court date, start with urgent housing help.
  2. Behind on rent: call 211 and apply to several programs at once. Use our payment plan letter to propose terms to your landlord in writing.
  3. Long-term help: apply to every housing agency above, plus income-restricted apartments. Gather your documents first.
  4. Check affordability: use the rent affordability calculator or the Section 8 rent calculator.

Sources

Checked October 10, 2026. Laws, programs, and agency websites change; confirm details with the agency or court before relying on them. Report a correction.

  1. Miss. Code § 89-8-21 (security deposits)FindLaw
  2. Miss. Code § 89-7-27 (nonpayment notice)FindLaw
  3. Miss. Code § 89-8-15 (repair and deduct)FindLaw
  4. Miss. Code § 21-17-5 (municipal powers; rent regulation)FindLaw
  5. Landlord-Tenant Law in MississippiMSLegalServices.org
  6. MSLegalServices.orgMississippi Center for Legal Services / North Mississippi Rural Legal Services
  7. Low-Income Home Energy Assistance ProgramMississippi Department of Human Services
  8. MHC ProgramsMississippi Home Corporation
  9. Mississippi Regional Housing Authority VIMRHA VI
  10. South Mississippi Housing AuthoritySouth Mississippi Housing Authority
  11. Mississippi Regional Housing Authority VIIMRHA VII