Local service organization LOU-HOME is in the process of developing a counseling service for prospective homeowners in Oxford and Lafayette County.

Donors, including BancorpSouth Bank are providing funding which would provide guidance on housing, credit and household financial management for low- to moderate-income individuals.

“The creation of this counseling service would help many residents gain the financial stability to reach their dreams of homeownership,” Randy Leister, BancorpSouth market president for Oxford, said. “We’re happy to support LOU-HOME’s continued work to provide affordable housing to the low- to moderate-income population.”

The bank’s downtown office in Oxford served as a meeting place for representatives of LOU-HOME to share information about the initiative with local financial institutions and ask for their support.

BancorpSouth’s recent $2,500 donation represents the first half of a $5,000 pledge for the development of the counseling service. The rest of the donation, $2,500, will be given in 2019.

“We’re thankful to BancorpSouth for being the leader in this effort and helping us reach out to other banks to start raising money,” said Kathy Sukanek, president of LOU-HOME’s board of directors. “Unfortunately, our community lacks an ongoing service to provide reliable counseling to assist those who are seeking help in repairing their credit and managing their household finances. This initiative will meet an unfilled critical component of the homeownership equation.”

LOU-HOME is a partnership of the United Way of Oxford and Lafayette County. For more information on the organization,, visit http://www.unitedwayoxfordms.org/lou-home-inc.