MEDIA RELEASE Contact: Brandon Laster, Public Information Officer (816) 759-6692 or blaster@gmail.com

Release No. 98-08-15
Aug. 24, 1998

MHDC ANNOUNCES AVAILABILITY OF HOUSING ASSISTANCE MONEY

[Kansas City] -- The Missouri Housing Development Commission has announced the availability of funds for agencies and organizations providing housing assistance for low-income families in Missouri.

More than $4 million in funding will be made available through the Missouri Housing Trust Fund (MHTF) for the 1999 fiscal year.

MHTF funds must be used to financially assist the development of housing or providing housing assistance to very low-income individuals and families. All persons assisted by MHDC funds must have income at, or below, 50 percent of the median family income for the geographic area. Half of the funds must be used to assist individuals or families with income at or below 25 percent of the median family income for the geographic area.

The Commission approved more than $4 million in MHTF funding for 55 projects from the 95 proposals submitted for funding in March 1998 for the 1998 fiscal year.

Eligible MHTF activities range from homeless programs to homeownership assistance, including homeless shelters, rental assistance programs, development of new or rehabilitated rental and single family housing that are funded through grants or loans.

MHTF is designed to increase affordable housing opportunities for low-income families. The process of granting or loaning funds to housing providers across the state is accomplished by the comparison of competing applications and selection is based on need, location, targeted population served, funds leveraged, coordination with the community, and experience of the providers.

Application packets are available by calling Christina Evans at (816) 759-6684. The application packet will include the revised Qualified Allocation Plan, the revised application and the revised program guidelines. Applications for funding will be accepted by MHDC until 5 p.m., Nov. 16, 1998.

Decisions regarding proposed developments will be made during March 1999. All proposals must be submitted on the August 1998 application form and will be accepted at MHDC offices at 3435 Broadway, Kansas City, Missouri 64111 and 4625 Lindell, Suite 500, St. Louis, Missouri 63108.

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A list of agencies receiving approval for 1998 funds can be reviewed on our website at http://www.mhdc.com/news/1998/98-03-02.htm.