Housing gets boost from state agency

When it was created in 1969, the Missouri Housing Development Commission was given the mission of providing quality, safe and affordable housing for low- and moderate-income Missourians. Since then, its programs have served one out of every 20 households in the state.

Just last year the MHDC assisted in the financing of 1,598 rental units in 32 communities and financed loans for 3,600 families who had never owned a home before. Over the last 33 years, the commission has issued bonds to finance home ownership for 55,000 families. The MHDC also administers federal and state tax-credit incentives for affordable housing.

Thanks to its record and financial stability, the bonds issued by the MHDC have high ratings, resulting in lower mortgage interest and lower rents for Missourians affected by its various programs. Last year, the MHDC generated more than $4 billion in new home starts.

Altogether, the commission has built up an impressive record.