BILOXI, Miss. (WLOX) – Community and understanding are just some of the mantras the Back Bay Mission uses to help unhoused people in Biloxi, especially those relocating to unfamiliar areas.
James Pennington, executive director of the Back Bay Mission, said a person’s mental health is a major factor when deciding whether to move an unhoused person to another area.
“It’s hard. I think it’s hard because I think familiarity is helpful for everyone,” Pennington said.
They tend to return to areas where they feel safe, like Division Street, he said.
“Maybe this area has the Center for Nonviolent Coastal Family Health,” Pennington said, “We have SOS, Back Bay Mission, Seashore and Loaves and Fishes. This is an area people know. Homeless and unsheltered people know this part of town and how to get around.”
But it’s not just when they’re on the street: When they’re in a housing situation, economic changes can make it problematic, too.
“It can be difficult when people are not used to living in a home, don’t have housing or don’t know how to be a good neighbor,” Pennington said. “We’re finding it really tough. Housing costs are going up, utility costs are going up, and this is a big challenge.”
Pennington said he plans to use other alternatives, such as tiny homes or units already being used to house homeless veterans.
He also said discussions such as affordable housing and adequate health care for the homeless must take place going forward to help solve the city’s homeless problem.
“Our medical and mental health care is sorely lacking, but all of these things have to be there for people to not only thrive but to survive,” Pennington said. “To me, that’s really important, and that’s why we want to encourage our culture, our society, and our Gulf Coast region to really find ways to make medical and mental health care affordable for all people.”
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