Contact: Shana Stribling 202.224.0309
Tuesday, October 15, 2002

JOPLIN, MO - Senator Kit Bond today announced that the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has approved more than $200,000 in federal dollars for Missourians' housing needs.

"Owning a home is not only a significant financial investment but also a source of pride," said Bond, who has worked on housing issues since his time as Missouri’s Governor and is the ranking member on the Senate Appropriations Committee that funds HUD. "These dollars will provide important help for first-time Missouri homebuyers, homeowners facing the loss of their home, or families looking for affordable housing to rent."

The $229,000 in grant dollars will be used for free housing counseling for homebuyers, homeowners and renters. The following Missouri organizations have received Housing Counseling Program Awards for fiscal year 2002:

* $82,012 grant to the Justine Petersen Housing and Reinvestment Corporation in St. Louis, MO.

* $68,493 grant to Legal Services of Eastern Missouri in St. Louis, MO.

* $36,303 grant to Community Services League in Independence, MO.

* $17,971 grant to Youth Education and Health in Soulard in St. Louis, MO.

* $12,221 grant to West Central Missouri Community Action Agency in Appleton City, MO.

* $12,000 grant to Housing Options Provided for the Elderly in St. Louis, MO.

HUD's Housing Counseling Program provides funds to state Housing Counseling Agencies to provide advice on buying a home, renting, defaults, foreclosures, credit issues and reverse mortgages. The Housing Counseling Program also provides a hotline for homeowners – homeowners with problems that could result in default of their mortgage or foreclosure on their property need to contact a HUD-approved housing counseling agency immediately at 1-888-466-3487.

Kit Bond is Missouri’s senior Senator and is now in his third term after having served the state previously during two terms as Governor.