Prairie Rose Resource Conservation & Development, First Community Bank, and USDA Rural Development entered into a partnership to provide funding to homeowners located in Bates, Benton, Camden, Cass Cedar, Henry, Hickory, Jackson, Johnson, Lafayette, Miller, Morgan, Pettis, Saline, St. Clair, and Vernon counties. The partnership called “Area III Home Repair Partnership Project 2” is a joint project to provide grant and 1% loan money to very low-income homeowners in these counties to complete needed repairs.

The Area III Home Repair Partnership Project received a grant from the Federal Home Loan Bank (FHLB) of Des Moines, Iowa in the amount of $105,000 through their Affordable Housing Program. The FHLB’s Affordable Housing Program has targeted funding to repair 30 houses with a $3,500.00 grant per house.  Greg Bynum, Executive Vice President of First Community Bank, Warrensburg, (the participating lender with the FHLB) said, "Addressing the housing needs of under-served populations is what the Affordable Housing Program is all about."

Along with the grant, USDA Rural Development has committed $225,000 in 1% loan funds through Rural Developments 504 Housing Program.  Funds need to be used before September 30.”

Eligible homeowners may use the funds to complete any basic repairs needed to remove health and safety hazards such as: new roofs, furnace, sidings, windows, ramps, insulation, electrical updates, plumbing, floor repairs, or similar kinds of improvements.

To qualify for the program a homeowner must be in the very low-income limit for their family size and own a home in need of repairs.   To apply for the program, homeowners can contact the USDA Rural Development office serving their county.  Residents of Jackson and Lafayette Counties may contact Mark Simmons, at 660-584-8732;  residents of Bates, Cass and Vernon Counties may contact Robert Thompson at 660-679-6114; residents of Johnson, Henry, Cedar and St. Clair counties may contact Neal Miller at 660-885-5595, residents of Saline, Pettis, Benton and Hickory counties may contact Cindy Schroeder at 660-826-3339; and residents of Camden Morgan and Miller counties may contact Mike Fitzgerald at 573-392-5667. 

Seated Left to Right:  Judith Hoffmann, Prairie Rose RC&D; Curt Heidt, Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines; Donald Knehans, First Community Bank; Larry Knehans, USDA Rural Development Standing Left to Right:  Tom Craig, Prairie Rose RC&D; Bob Hagedorn, Aide to Congressman Ike Skelton; Linda North, First Community Bank; Mark Simmons, USDA Rural Development