NATCHEZ &045; Of $250,000 in housing loan funds the city received from the Mississippi Development Authority months ago, almost $106,000 is still left to distribute &045; and the sooner, the better.

City Grants Coordinator Brent Brinegar said during a Monday afternoon aldermen meeting $105,910 is still left in the city’s HOME account.

The program helps those who haven’t owned houses in the last three years, have good credit and make up to 115 percent of the county’s median income pay down payment and closing costs.

&uot;The problem is that many (applicants) have bad credit&uot; and therefore don’t qualify, Brinegar said.

The urgency: the city’s contract with the MDA to spend the funds expired in December. Mayor Phillip West requested the contract deadline be extended until June.

But Brinegar said that won’t be enough time to disburse all the funds. Instead, she recommended the city request an extension until December.

Until the city spends all the funds, it cannot apply for a new HOME program whose money can be used for a broader range of projects.

Alderman Theodore &uot;Bubber&uot; West asked if it’s possible for the city to partner with the AJFC Community Action Agency, which is conducting some housing programs.

It is, Brinegar said, with Alderwoman Joyce Arceneaux-Mathis adding that she has also asked Memphis Housing Authority representatives to visit to tell city officials about innovative housing programs in that city.

Among other things, MHA has used HOPE &045; Housing Opportunity for People Everywhere &045; funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to create mixed-income, mixed-finance housing developments.

Such developments intersperse Section 8 apartment complexes for low-income residents and units for senior citizens with houses for homeowners.

When it comes to affordable, decent housing, &uot;there needs to be a concerted effort, Š because we need it so desperately,&uot; Mayor West said.

In addition, Brinegar said she has talked with City Inspection Paul Dawes about finding more funds for demolition of dilapidated properties throughout the city.

In other business, the board voted to authorize the mayor to enter into a one-year contract with the Southwest Mississippi Planning and Development District for the city to provide services for the district at the Natchez Senior Citizen Multipurpose Center.

Those services include adult day care, transportation, congregate meals, home-delivered meals and other senior center services.

The board also voted to designate Adams County, as it has in past years, to administer the area’s juvenile justice grant.