JACKSON, Miss. — On Saturday, residents from around Mississippi came together for the Third Annual Mississippi Housing Expo held at the Mississippi Trade Mart. This event was created to connect housing-related resources and information with industry professionals. It brings everyone together in one place at one time.
The free event featured lenders, real estate professionals, housing organizations, contractors, home improvement specialists, and other experts who were available to answer questions and connect attendees with resources related to homeownership and housing. Organizers say the goal is to make information more accessible for both current homeowners and those hoping to purchase a home in the future. Furthermore, the Mississippi Housing Expo is intended to serve homebuyers, homeowners, renters, and anyone interested in learning more about housing opportunities and services available throughout the state.
John Mondy of Millennium Realty, who hosts the Mississippi Housing Expo, described the event as a one-stop destination for housing-related needs.
All Things Housing Under One Roof
“Well, the easiest way to tell you about this event is that it’s all things housing under one roof,” Mondy said. “Holistic housing, no matter whether you are a home buyer or home owner, we’ve got something for everyone.”
According to Mondy, attendees could find information on credit improvement, first-time homebuyer programs, home renovations, rental resources, financial services, and property maintenance. In addition, more than 40 housing professionals and organizations participated in this year’s expo.
“If you want to talk about credit or you need information about credit, we’ve got it,” Mondy said. “If you want your kitchen remodeled, we’ve got it. We’ve got Mississippi Home Corp. with rent information. We’ve got several banks talking about first-time homebuyer programs. Just about everything you can think of is in one spot.”
In addition to educational opportunities, the event included a free lunch, door prizes, and cash giveaways. This helped create a welcoming atmosphere for families and community members.
The Mississippi Housing Expo has continued to grow since its launch. Mondy said this year’s event marks the third annual expo, and attendance has increased significantly over the past several years.
“Last year, we had about 800 attendees,” he said. “We’re hoping to have even more this year, so it has grown exponentially over a couple of years.”
Resources for Homebuyers and Homeowners
The event comes at a time when many Mississippians continue to face questions about housing affordability, financing, and homeownership. Housing experts frequently point to financial readiness and credit history as major factors. These affect an individual’s ability to purchase a home.
When asked about the biggest challenges facing housing in Mississippi, Mondy pointed to credit issues as one of the primary barriers for prospective homeowners.
“If you’re speaking about pre-homeownership, then we’re talking about credit,” he said. “Credit is the number one barrier to getting people into homes.”
He also emphasized the importance of maintaining existing homes to preserve property values and strengthen neighborhoods.
“If you are already a homeowner, maintain your property and keep your property value up, for you and your neighbors,” he said.
Attendees Share Their Perspectives
Andrews said she believes the housing market has become more challenging for many people compared to when she purchased her home.
“Right now, currently, I would say that the housing market is kind of on a rise,” Andrews said. “It is kind of hard now to get housing with interest rates, and that’s based on what some of my family and friends have told me.”
She noted that she was fortunate to buy her home when market conditions were more favorable.
“Fortunately, around the time I got my house, it was a little bit of a lateral slope,” she said. “But right now, from what I’m hearing, it’s on the high rise.”
While Andrews attended to learn more about housing resources, she also expressed hope that the event would help others achieve homeownership.
“I’m looking for a great time, great opportunity,” she said. “Definitely hoping that people who are looking for housing can be helped here and be able to get them a house.”
When asked if she had found useful information during her visit, Andrews offered a simple response.
“Yes,” she said.
Educating and Empowering Residents
For Mondy, helping residents find answers and resources remains the central purpose of the event.
“Well, we’re here to educate and empower,” he said. “That’s the main thing. We don’t know everyone’s needs, but hopefully we have someone who can address it.”
Whether attendees were interested in purchasing their first home, improving their credit, protecting assets, maintaining a property, or learning more about housing opportunities, organizers said the expo was designed to provide guidance and connections.
“In my mind, there’s expos about just about everything, so why not have one about housing?” Mondy said. “One of the biggest purchases someone can ever make in their life is a home, and it’s such a big deal.”
As the Mississippi Housing Expo continues to grow, organizers hope it will remain a valuable resource. This will be important for residents seeking information, education, and opportunities related to housing and homeownership across the state.
Editor’s Note: This article is based on on-site reporting and interviews conducted at the Third Annual Mississippi Housing Expo in Jackson, Mississippi. Statements and opinions expressed by interviewees are their own and have been included for news reporting purposes.
