Release No. 2001-08-13
August 24, 2001

FUNDS AVAILABLE FOR HOUSING ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS

[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.
An estimated $4.5 million in funding will be made available through the Missouri Housing Trust Fund (MHTF) for the 2002 fiscal year.

MHTF funds must be used to financially assist the development of housing and provide 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 December 2000 for the 2001 fiscal year.

The Housing Trust Fund MHTF is designed to increase affordable housing opportunities for low-income families. Eligible MHTF activities range from homeless programs to homeownership assistance, including homeless shelters, rental assistance programs, and development of new or rehabilitated rental and single family housing that are funded through grants or loans.

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.
The Commission will accept applications until 4:30 p.m., Central Daylight Time, on October 29, 2001 in their Kansas City office at 3435 Broadway, Kansas City, MO 64111. Decisions regarding proposals will be made during the month of January 2002.

The 2002 Application Packet is available on the MHDC Web site at http://www.mhdc.com/. These documents are also available on a computer diskette. To request a diskette or printed copy of the Application Packet, please contact Shanese Rabon at 816.759.6670. 

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Questions?  Contact David W. Bryan, Public Information Officer at 816.759.6692.