Housing organization’s funding cuts could cost police jobs

NATCHEZ — Dramatic funding cuts for the Natchez Housing Authority have caused the authority to cut spending, which could include $60,000 for salaries of two Natchez police officers.

Director Alan Ingram tells The Natchez Democrat the authority has paid the city $60,000 for several years for two extra patrol officers to provide security at the properties it operates. Ingram said he also believes the officers perform other police duties beyond security.

Ingram reported to the Natchez Board of Aldermen the housing authority may have to cut the officers out of its budget.

Ingram said the authority stopped receiving its operating subsidy funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development in January after the government cut 2012 funding allocations to public housing authorities with excess operating reserves.