VHS Grad Darryl Harris is Helping People Find Affordable Housing

Harris is working with low-income residents and the federal government to get people in homes.

Darryl Harris, a Vicksburg High School graduate and Southern Mississippi alumni, recently founded Dorothy Mae, a 501c3 non-profit organization whose mission is to provide affordable housing to low-income residents throughout Mississippi. Vicksburg is first on Dorothy Mae’s project roadmap due to the Founder’s roots and natural affinity for his hometown.

To contribute to these efforts, Dorothy Mae is pursuing federal and private funding to rehabilitate and renovate over ten properties in Ward 1, which sits in the middle of Washington Street in Vicksburg, Mississippi. The properties are earmarked for very low to low-income residents for up to 5 years. The primary funding source for this initiative will be rental property assistance from the Department of Agriculture and the USDA Rural Development through its HPG program. 

To determine the preservation needs of the properties, GIS and mapping assessments, site research, and site visits have been conducted. Funds awarded, donated, or raised for this project will assist with securing the appropriate staff, supplies, labor, and materials needed for a successful project. Construction and design processes will include electrical, foundation, roofing, plumbing, and other general contracting services that align with the Rural Development Standards. Various inspection and monitoring processes will be frequently executed to ensure the long-term efficiency of the construction and design process remains intact, including weekly site compliance walkthroughs and quality assurance audits.

The rehabilitation project will be completed within 24 months of its start date. The first 60 days will consist of bidding and planning processes. Phase I rehabilitation and renovation of 6 homes will begin in February 2025 and take approximately ten months. Phase II rehabilitation and renovation of the remaining five homes will be completed by November 2026. 

Another benefit of this project is job creation. During the 24-month project, Dorothy Mae will hire administrative support such as an accountant, procurement specialist, project manager, landscaper, and other employees who work and reside in Vicksburg. The project has an estimated annual budget of $1MM (totaling $2MM during the project lifecycle), to be managed and monitored through an FDIC bank and payment processor. To ensure the overall effectiveness of the project, Dorothy Mae will conduct various qualitative and quantitative measures, such as surveys, to measure tenant retention and satisfaction. Quarterly performance reports will be created and publicized to project constituents for transparency and accountability.

Dorothy Mae has already begun creating meaningful relationships and intends to collaborate with elected officials, community organizations, and community partners. Dorothy Mae will continually identify additional funding sources to rehabilitate more homes throughout the targeted area. For more information or if you desire to donate, you can contact Darryl Harris at founder@dorothymae.org.