NEW CORPORATION'S GOAL: TO PROVIDE LOW-INCOME HOUSING

Community Sweat Equity Housing Corporation (CSEH), a local not-for-profit organization that was founded more than eight months ago, is making its presence known in the field of housing preparation for low-to moderate-income residents in Cape Girardeau.

"We have purchased six housing units, and they are now occupied," said Bernice Coar Cobb, president of the new corporation which was founded in June of 1993.

Cobb and other CSEH officials met with banking officials and Thomas M. Meyer, a local realtor, Monday to discuss the new corporation and its plans for the future.

"Meyer, Mercantile Bank of Cape Girardeau and Southeast Missouri Bank have offered their support to CSEH.

"We're happy to be involved in the corporation's planning," said Wayne Nesslein, of Mercantile Bank. "A big part of our business is housing loans."

Percy Huston, president of Southeast Missouri Bank, agrees.

"We're glad to be participating in the program," he said.

The banks provide loans to the corporation to acquire housing.

"Our goal is to promote, secure and participate in programs beneficial to this area, especially in housing to those qualified in the low- and median-income, disabled and the elderly," said Michael Sterling, a member of the new corporation.

The CSEH not only provides housing for low-income qualified families, noted Sterling, it also involves participation of the tenant with a `hands-on' activity to the house. "This means helping to clean, paint, and make ready the rental unit, and to keep the property in good appearance and condition.

"Pride of the neighborhood, as well as building good basic credit and rental reference, is part of the corporation's goals and objectives," added Sterling.

Other members of the corporation include Charles Hamilton and Debra Willis.

"With the help of Thomas M. Meyer and the two banks, we have an opportunity to help people," said Cobb. "This program is designed for all people in need. Right now, we're at 100 percent occupancy, with about a 50/50 mix in Afro-Americans and Euro-Americans."

Cobb said she was disappointed in the actions of the Cape Girardeau City Council recently.

"The council's stance is one of procrastination," she said. "It does not address the need. The council had a chance to name a Housing Authority but elected not to at this time, saying it wanted a vote of the people.

"It doesn't take a vote of the people," emphasized Cobb.

Cobb and Willis were members of the Housing Task Force which reported findings of a survey to the Council recently, identifying a need for up to 150 "scattered-site," single housing units" for low- to moderate-income residents.

"Even this is not enough," said Cobb. "We have a serious low-income housing problem in Cape Girardeau."

Cobb said she was hopeful that the actions of the new Community Sweat Equity Housing Corporations would spur other actions in supporting the program.

Anyone interested in low-income housing, or anyone wanting to help with the project, may call Willis at 339-2737.

"Although we were established in June of last year, we have been working for better housing for the past three or four years," said Cobb. "The need is there. In some cases you'll find more than 12 to 15 people in a single house."

The CSEH project is the first of its kind in this area. "It could not have happened without the foresight and interest of all of these people," said Cobb, in reference to Meyer Realty, Mercantile Bank and Southeast Missouri Bank.