Mississippi Code Title 43. Public Welfare § 43-35-103

It is hereby found and declared that the existence and occupation of dwellings and other buildings in the municipalities of this state, which are unfit for human habitation, use or occupancy, are inimical to the welfare and dangerous and injurious to the health, safety and morals of the people of this state; and that a public necessity exists for the repair or elimination of such buildings.

Whenever any municipality of this state finds that there exist in such municipality buildings, which are unfit for human habitation, use or occupancy, due to dilapidation, defects increasing the hazards of fires, accidents or other calamities, lack of ventilation, light or sanitary facilities, or due to other conditions rendering such buildings unsafe and unsanitary, and dangerous or detrimental to the health, safety or morals, or which are otherwise inimical to the welfare of the residents of such municipality, power is hereby conferred upon such municipality to exercise its police powers to remedy or eliminate the aforesaid conditions in the manner provided in this article.