Audit finds problems with Mo. housing tax credit

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) -- An audit reports that Missouri's housing commission is not properly verifying the value of donated properties.

State auditors reviewing the affordable housing tax credit program, also said the Missouri Housing Development Commission has combined two tax credit programs when reporting to lawmakers about the benefits of the housing tax incentive.

In one example, state auditors found that the housing commission accepted an appraisal of $1.18 million for a 24-unit rural apartment building with no central air or heat. For comparison, auditors found that an independent 137-unit renovated apartment in Kansas City was valued at $1.26 million.

A spokesman for the Housing Development Commission did not immediately return a call seeking comment. But the commission pledged in its audit response to have a staff appraiser review estimated values.