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Oct. 4, 2011
For immediate release
For more information, contact:
Maria Kardon or Chuck Cantrell, (573) 265-2993
Newburg Community Housing Inc. receives $263,320 facelift
24 units upgraded through FHLB grant
NEWBURG—Apartments in the Newburg Community Housing Inc. complex in Newburg, Mo., will soon be more comfortable, attractive and energy efficient for current and future tenants through an extensive renovation project.
The 24, one-bedroom units will be upgraded through a $263,320 grant awarded in November 2010 from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines. Citizens Bank of Newburg is the sponsor bank for the project.
The Meramec Regional Planning Commission was responsible for the grant application and is providing inspections and administration for the project.
Cecilia Stogsdill, Citizens Bank of Newburg vice president, described the relationship between the bank and the Newburg Community Inc. board of directors.
“Newburg Community Housing Inc. have been customers of the bank for over 40 years. We have provided banking services to them and have been there for their renovations and improvements,” Stogsdill said.
“As a member of the Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines, we act as the bank sponsor to facilitate the applications, approval, and serve as the funding source for the grant funds received from the FHLB of Des Moines,” Stogsdill said.
The FHLB’s Affordable Housing Program (AHP) has funded 19 projects in Congressional District 9 from 2006 to Dec. 31, 2010 and brought $5.4 million into area. AHP assists in homeownership and rental housing needs of low-to-moderate income households by partnerships with member financial institutions and local community development organizations. FHLB-DM partners with more than 1,200 member financial institutions in Missouri, Iowa, Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota.
Though created by Congress in 1932, the FHLB system is a private corporation. Each year, FHLB-DM commits 10 percent of its annual net income to developing affordable housing.
The Newburg housing improvements will benefit the complex upkeep for the next 15 years, in turn saving reserve funds of the Newburg Community Housing Inc. board of directors. The board contributed a $15,000 cash-match for the project.
Board President Peggy DeShurley said the complex was built in 1967 and the upgrades are much anticipated.
“We’ve been very happy we were able to get the grant and make the apartments more livable for the tenants,” DeShurley said. “The more upgrades, the longer they will last.”
The FHLB grant project will upgrade the complex as well as help make it more handicap-accessible for many of its senior residents.
DeShurley gave the example of round doorknobs being replaced with handles that pull down to easily open the doors.
“Our goal is to keep (the units) upgraded and comfortable for living. Complexes that are old show wear and tear,” DeShurley said. “We have (the residents’) interests at heart in every thing we do.”
Renovations began in August and are expected to be completed by February. New heating and air conditioning has been installed and contractors are in the process of upgrading the kitchen cabinets. The rehabilitation work also includes bathroom upgrades, sidewalk replacement, exterior lighting, electrical upgrades, new floor coverings, drainage work and interior painting.
Each apartment will also have its emergency call light upgraded. This system enables a resident who has a medical emergency to push a button in the unit to activate a flashing light outside the residency. The lights help guide emergency responders to the correct apartment.
Contractors for the project include: Carver Construction of Belle, Mo., Dunlap of Licking, Mo., Gildehaus of St. Clair, Mo., JDP Construction of Sullivan, Mo., Matt’s Home Service of Cuba, Mo., McCall’s Floormart of Rolla, Mo., Restoration Services of Salem, Mo., The Plumber of Ironton, Mo. and Thurmond Brothers of Sullivan, Mo.
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