HOUSING PLANS MEET NEEDS

Two housing projects -- one in Cape Girardeau and the other in Perryville -- will help meet different demands in those cities. Plans to build 15 rental houses in Cape Girardeau for low-income families and 100 houses in Perryville priced at $76,000 were announced April 22.

The Cape Girardeau project, which will place houses at scattered locations in the south part of the city, is the way housing for low-income families should be built as opposed to the giant public-housing projects that first sprung up in the 1960s. At some point after 15 years into the program, occupants will have the opportunity to buy the houses. That will help assure that they are properly maintained during the rental periods and offer the opportunity for families unable to handle mortgages to own a home.

The 100-house development at Perryville will help ease the residential shortage there. Expanding industries have created new jobs in the Perryville area but housing has not kept pace. Finding a job in Perryville is easier than finding a place to live.

Unemployment in both Cape Girardeau and Perry counties has remained low even during those times when other parts of the state have seen unemployment rates skyrocket. When jobs are available, as they are in both counties, plenty of housing at affordable prices is a must, and both projects will help meet the need.