Statement from Treasurer Clint Zweifel following approval of his plan to provide housing for Missourians with special needs

JEFFERSON CITY, DC – August 20, 2010 – (RealEstateRama) — On Wednesday, State Treasurer Clint Zweifel called on the Missouri Housing Development Commission to pass his plan to create housing to tackle homelessness and mental illness. The plan required no new spending; instead it leveraged existing federal and state resources. Following is a statement from Treasurer Zweifel on the approval of a new version of his plan that now includes funding for two housing developments focused on chronically homeless individuals, those suffering from a mental illness, Missourians with a physical or developmental disability and youth aging out of foster care:

“Today, Missouri took a huge step forward in the fight against mental illness and chronic homelessness by providing housing for Missourians with special needs. This plan does more than the state’s housing agency has ever done before to end the cruel cycle of neglect many Missourians face. I will continue to reach out to housing commissioners, mental health advocates, special needs experts and homelessness prevention organizations to direct more resources towards housing that helps ensure Missourians do not spend the night in alleys and under overpasses. By connecting the dots between community organizations, faith-based providers, health services experts, businesses and local, state and federal governments we can create solutions that meet the special needs of people throughout Missouri. This plan requires no new spending, and achieves a fair return for taxpayers by ensuring funds are spent in a way that utilizes federal and state dollars. I thank the housing commission for voting to support this critical need.”