Lee County Circuit Court Affirms City of Tupelo’s Plan to Build Affordable Housing

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

January 20, 2023

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Lee County Circuit Court Affirms City of Tupelo’s Plan to Build Affordable Housing

Jackson, Miss – The Lee County Circuit Court affirmed the City of Tupelo’s decision to approve construction of Flowerdale Commons, a planned affordable housing community which is designed to create stable multi-family housing for 46 working families during the City’s current affordable housing crisis. The City of Tupelo’s approval of the plan to build Flowerdale Commons had been challenged by a handful of white-owned businesses and white residents.  

The Mississippi Center for Justice, which filed an amicus brief in the case on behalf of the City of Tupelo and the affordable housing developer, released the following statements:

“Affordable housing is key to creating equality and combating poverty,” said Vangela M. Wade, President and CEO of MCJ. “Right now, there are still too many working families in Mississippi who cannot afford a decent place to call home. I’m proud of my hometown of Tupelo and it’s elected officials for taking the initiative to confront its affordable housing crisis. We urge other localities to follow suit.” 

“This is a major victory for residents of Tupelo, who have faced a dire shortage of affordable housing for too long,” said Paloma Wu, Deputy Director of Impact Litigation at MCJ. “Increasing access to affordable housing is proven to bolster economic growth, and having stable housing allows children to thrive. We’re thrilled for the working families in Tupelo that will be able to take advantage of this new affordable housing.”

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The Mississippi Center for Justice is dedicated to dismantling the state’s culture of inequity and injustice. Supported and staffed by attorneys and other professionals, the Center develops and pursues strategies to combat discrimination and poverty statewide.