Seventeen new homes are under construction throughout the City of Laurel as a part of a Tax Credit Project.

Laurel Housing Authority Executive Director Kay Guy and Laurel Mayor Melvin Mack conducted a press conference Wednesday at the construction site of this phase of home development.

Guy said the development is an arm of the Laurel Housing Authority. However, they are Tax Credit Homes being built though the Mississippi Homes Corporation.

Mack praised the work of the Housing Authority in building homes throughout the city.

“I’m ecstatic. ... I’m just overjoyed with the work being done,” the mayor said. “We appreciate the Laurel Housing Authority for it’s contribution to the city.

“The Housing Authority is making a difference in the City of Laurel, and it didn’t cost the city anything,” Mack added. “Another great thing is that all of these houses are going on the city’s tax roll.”

Guy said the first phase of the new project included 13 homes, which were completed at the first of the year. Now, the next 17 houses are currently under construction in the Walters Avenue area.

She said the second phase of the project, which is being called Laurel Gardens, is expected to be completed by the end of June.

Guy said the project, which is expected to provide 70 new homes in the Laurel-Jones County area, is “putting a new face on what the housing authority stands for.”

The ongoing program is building the homes through a Tax Credit Project for self-need homes.

“The Housing Authority houses about 10 percent of the population of Laurel,” Guy said. “This venture is a new concept for working families.”

According to officials, most of the homes are being built on railroad and state owned property.

“The program is authorized and run by a state agency. The credits sold are bought by larger corporations deferring the cost of development,” Guy said. “This makes the project affordable for occupants to purchase.”

According to officials, the occupants pay a set rate, according to their income, leasing the unit for 15 years. After that, the occupants are able to purchase the homes for only what is owed on the principle.

Guy said the proposed occupants for these homes are selected through a very strict application and verification process.