March 28, 2005
For immediate release
For more information, contact:
Bonnie J. Prigge, Martha Dinsdale or Chuck Cantrell, (573) 265-2993

Want to Own Your Own Home??
Applicants Needed for MRPC Homeownership Program

Many working families want to own their own homes but find it difficult to come up with the required down payment and closing costs associated with financing.

For 11 years now, the Meramec Regional Planning Commission and Meramec Community Enhancement Corporation have been providing new options for some low-income, first-time homebuyers in the Meramec Region. MRPC and MCEC are now seeking qualified homebuyers.

MCEC has just purchased a home in Rolla for renovation and resale.

"It has been four years since we have had a homeownership home in Rolla, so we need to update our applicant list," explained Martha Dinsdale, MRPC community development specialist.

In 1994, MRPC, a voluntary council of local governments based in St. James, began purchasing homes in need of care, renovating them to like new condition and selling them to qualified low-income residents, said Connie Willman, program manager. The program was started with a grant from the U.S. Department of Housing And Urban Development (HUD). Today, MCEC operates the homeownership program, in partnership with MRPC, using grants from the Missouri Housing Trust Fund. As in the past, the program also assists with down payment and closing costs and installs new appliances.

"With this program, an income-eligible, first-time homebuyers can get into a property with little or no down payment and no closing costs," Dinsdale said. "They must be able to make monthly housing payments, and they must be willing to contribute 75 hours of sweat equity to their home or another home in the program. And friends and family can help in that effort."

The homebuyer must also attend 25 hours of homeownership training, which is offered free of charge through MRPC. A free homeownership training is planned from 6 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, March 29 in the basement of the Rolla Public Library, 900 Pine St., in Rolla. Homeownership applications will be available at that training.

"There is no cost or obligation to apply. You only need to possess the desire to own your own home," Dinsdale said.
In addition to the home in Rolla, MCEC also has two homes in Owensville for sale. One home-a two-bedroom priced at $53,000-is family-ready. All work has been completed. Another four-bedroom home in Owensville-donated by Linn State Bank-is being renovated.

Persons interested in completing an application or learning more about the program, should contact Dinsdale or Chuck Cantrell at MRPC, (573) 265-2993.

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