Media Advisory – Jan. 17, 2003

Housing assistance programs receive $5.2 million from Housing Trust Fund
 

     JEFFERSON CITY -- The Missouri Housing Development Commission granted $5.2 million from the Missouri Housing Trust Fund to 87 housing assistance programs during its Jan. 17 meeting in Jefferson City. 
 

     “This funding will go a long way toward easing the hardship of Missourians through immediate housing assistance,” said State Treasurer and MHDC Vice Chair Nancy Farmer.  “This funding is vital to communities where people have a great need for housing and will continue to develop housing where it is needed most.”

The Missouri Housing Trust Fund (MHTF) must be used to financially assist in the development of affordable housing and to provide housing assistance to very low-income individuals and families.   The Housing Trust Fund MHTF is designed to increase affordable housing opportunities for very low-income families. 

Eligible MHTF activities funded through grants or loans range from programs for the homeless to home repair assistance, and also includes including shelters, rental assistance programs, and development of new or rehabilitated rental housing.

The Trust Fund is supported by a set aside of $3 recording fee from all real estate documents filed in the State of Missouri. The annual funding level depends upon the level of real estate activity.  This year’s real estate activity produced $5.2 million in funding.  MHDC received 165 applications requesting more than $15.4 million in MHTF funding. 

Agencies headquartered in the following communities received funding.  In most instances, the agencies’ programs cover multiple-county areas: