The City of Vicksburg handed over seven vacant parcels of land throughout the city to We Care Community Services Inc. Tuesday in hopes that the nonprofit agency will build affordable housing on the lots.

“This is consistent with our administration’s aim to put as many people in quality affordable housing as we can in Vicksburg. Our citizens deserve it,” Mayor Paul Winfield told We Care director Rose Bingham. “We certainly applaud your efforts.”

The mayor said the vacant lots have been acquired by the city over the past several years through unpaid property tax sales. Winfield and North Ward Alderman Michael Mayfield approved the conveyances at Tuesday’s special called meeting, as South Ward Alderman Sid Beauman is on vacation.

Bingham said the donated land will be offered to potential first-time homebuyers in conjunction with other assistance programs offered by We Care. The nonprofit has been awarded a $250,000 grant from the Mississippi Development Authority to provide up to $25,000 in downpayment assistance to 10 potential homebuyers, she added.

“So, in addition to giving them that start, we also want to be able to offer them land if they are in need of some,” Bingham said.

We Care is a U.S. Housing and Urban Development-certified Community Housing Development Organization, meaning it must oversee all construction of affordable housing it helps provide.