This project collects narratives and documents the lived spaces of individuals and communities that have experienced, are experiencing, or are working to relieve housing insecurity and evictions in Mississippi. It narrates the history of housing insecurity in our state and exposes historic and contemporary issues that lead to the lack of access to a basic human right--an adequate and secure place to live. Through this project, we hope to shed light on the housing crisis in Mississippi and contribute to future solutions to housing insecurity in the state and beyond.

This project was directed by Silvina Lopez Barrera and Kateryna Malaia, Assistant Professors at the School of Architecture, Mississippi State University in collaboration with the Margaret Walker Center at Jackson State University. This project partnered with local and state community organizations including Starkville Strong and NAACP-Oktibbeha County Branch. The initial stage of the project took the form of a class Lopez Barrera and Malaia taught at Mississippi State in the Fall of 2021. Interviews and photographs were collected, and transcripts and drawings were produced by Architecture students: Camille Bohannon, Elisa Castaneda, Reagan Douglass, Lucas Elder, Michael Herndon, Jessica Kiger, Sam Marcus, Sarah Mixon, Caroline Prather, Alysia Williams, and Savannah Wilson.

The exhibition will run from February 9th to March 29th in the McNeel Gallery, Giles Hall, School of Architecture, Mississippi State University with a small opening reception on Wendnesday, February 9th between 12pm and 1pm. A closing roundtable discussion will be held on March 29 at 4.00 pm in the Jury room, Giles Hall, School of Architecture, Mississippi State University. This program is free and open to the public.

*This project was made possible by a grant from the Mississippi Humanities Council, through support from the National Endowment for the Humanities. Any views, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this program do not necessarily represent those of the National Endowment for the Humanities or the Mississippi Humanities Council.

This program is financially assisted by the Mississippi Humanities Council, as well as Mississippi State University Center for Teaching and Learning, and Office for Research and Economic Development.