Blunt’s Blue Ribbon Panel Suggests Changes to
Improve Efficiency, Transparency at Housing Agency
JEFFERSON
CITY Gov.
Matt Blunts Blue Ribbon Panel submitted a report
outlining recommendations to improve efficiency and transparency and to save
money in the states housing finance agency.
Blunt appointed the bipartisan panel in January to examine the Missouri Housing
Development Commission (MHDC) and its operations.
As a result of the first full government review of the states
housing agency we have the opportunity to implement recommendations to save
money for taxpayers and ensure agency operations are consistent and
transparent, Blunt said. I appreciate the panel members for their work
and look forward to reviewing the recommendations and discussing the report
with the panel members.
State Sen. Jack Goodman (R) and former MHDC Chair Gary Collins (D) chaired the
committee. The group held a number of open meetings and public forums around
the state as they reviewed MHDC operations. Among other things, their
recommendations include:
Making the evaluation and award process as
transparent to the public as possible
Strengthening the review process for developers
to screen out those that lack capacity, have a poor track record with
other agencies, and/or have been sanctioned for violations
Encouraging projects that also bring in funds
from other sources
Expressing concern that the presence of the four
elected officials on MHDC has led to the appearance of politics
Developing an affordable housing database to
provide Missourians access to information about available housing
opportunities
Enhancing the application and evaluation process
The Missouri Housing Development Commission makes investments in rental housing
developments, preservation of affordable rental housing, home mortgages, home
improvement loans, grants to neighborhood housing groups and other housing
programs. MHDC functions as a bank, providing financing directly to
borrowers or through a network of private lending institutions.
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Stanley Cox Appointed to State-Wide Panel
Jefferson City-Governor Matt Blunt has created a panel to recommend changes to save money in the state's Housing Development
Commission. Included among panel members is newly elected State Representative Stanley Cox. Cox Previously served as Chairman
of that agency in the 1980's.
"Concerns have been raised about the transparency and efficiency of the agency, and I have tasked this bipartisan
panel to find ways to save money for taxpayers," Governor Blunt said in a statement Friday. A spokesman for the Governor
said that this panel was not in response to a particular incident. "As you look at the volume of money that moves through
the Housing Development Commission, it's important that there's transparency and that taxpayers are confident that the money's
being handled efficiently and effectively and appropriately."
Other individuals appointed to this "Blue Ribbon Panel" include:
** Co-Chair State Sen. Jack Goodman (R)
** Co-Chair Gary Collins (D), former MHDC Chair
** Lou Berra (D), President Development Resource Group
** Bill Brown (R), a former regional HUD director
** Bill Greiner (R), chief investment officer UMB
** State Rep. Rodney Hubbard (D)
** John Joines (R), Community Action Agency director
** Margaret Kelly (R), former state auditor
** State Sen. Harry Kennedy (D)
** Becky Scorse (R), loan officer at Guaranty Bank in Springfield, city housing authority member
PAID FOR BY STAN COX FOR STATE REPRESENTATIVE, BEN EMBREE TREASURER
