Housing assistance in Mississippi for immigrants
Mississippi at a glance
Mississippi is home to about 71,918 foreign-born residents (2.4% of the state’s 2,946,779 people) and 109,956 residents of Hispanic or Latino origin (3.7%), per the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey (2024 5-year estimates). The procedures below apply to everyone in Mississippi regardless of immigration status unless noted.
What rent actually costs in Mississippi — HUD’s official numbers
HUD's Fair Market Rents set the ceiling a Section 8 voucher covers and serve as the official rent benchmark. In Mississippi (FY 2026), the benchmark rent for a 2-bedroom apartment is $842/month (median), ranging from $842 (Adams County, MS) to $1,288 (Jackson, MS HUD Metro FMR Area) across the state's 76 rent areas.
| Area (largest by population) | Studio | 1BR | 2BR | 3BR | 4BR |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jackson, MS HUD Metro FMR Area | $1,091 | $1,097 | $1,288 | $1,544 | $1,705 |
| Gulfport-Biloxi, MS HUD Metro FMR Area | $786 | $923 | $1,140 | $1,471 | $1,612 |
| Memphis, TN-MS-AR HUD Metro FMR Area | $1,060 | $1,154 | $1,274 | $1,683 | $1,959 |
| Hattiesburg, MS MSA | $766 | $888 | $1,047 | $1,348 | $1,386 |
| Pascagoula, MS HUD Metro FMR Area | $929 | $951 | $1,067 | $1,448 | $1,762 |
| Lee County, MS | $847 | $852 | $994 | $1,257 | $1,316 |
| Lauderdale County, MS | $781 | $812 | $906 | $1,204 | $1,265 |
| Jones County, MS | $694 | $699 | $917 | $1,099 | $1,247 |
Source: HUD FY 2026 Fair Market Rents (effective 2025-10-01; 40th-percentile gross rents — Section 8 payment standards are set at 90-110% of FMR). Look up your county at huduser.gov.
Federal programs in Mississippi
Section 8 (Housing Choice Voucher) and Public Housing share the same federal rules: low income (typically under 30-50% of Area Median Income) and at least one household member with citizenship or an eligible immigration status — mixed-status families get a prorated voucher rather than nothing. Undocumented members, DACA recipients, and F-1 students don’t count as eligible members. Full eligibility lists and documents: federal housing rules.
To apply in Mississippi: find your local Public Housing Agency at hud.gov/findpha and get on the waiting list — months to years in tight markets.
Emergency shelters
Available WITHOUT immigration status verification:
- Homeless shelters
- Domestic violence shelters (DV shelters have enhanced privacy)
- Catholic Charities
- Salvation Army
- YWCA / YMCA
- Local churches
National homelessness line: 211 (in many states, connects to local resources)
Do I need ITIN or SSN to rent in Mississippi?
Not necessarily. Many landlords (especially small individuals) do NOT require SSN to rent. May require: income proof, employer letter, prior landlord references, larger security deposit.
Professionally-managed apartments (large complexes) are stricter about SSN.
Related information
Last verified: 2026-06-15.
General procedural information for educational purposes. Not legal, tax, or immigration advice. Laws and fees change — verify with the issuing agency before taking action. For case-specific guidance, consult a licensed immigration attorney or other appropriate professional.
Related procedural information
- Federal benefits eligibility by immigration status — who qualifies for what
- Find legal aid in your state — public-benefits appeals
- ITIN for tax-funded benefits — eligibility requires SSN or ITIN
- Consulate of your country — many offer financial-assistance referrals
- Know Your Rights — public-benefits enrollment — agency confidentiality limits
The Section 8 math in one line
A voucher household pays about 30% of adjusted monthly income toward rent, and the voucher covers the rest up to the local payment standard (90-110% of the FMRs shown above). Housing discrimination is reportable regardless of immigration status: HUD hotline 1-800-669-9777 (hud.gov fair housing).