Eight counties | 36 cities | one region

a voluntary council of local governments
serving the missouri meramec area.

Phelps County Public Housing Agency receives clean audit

For immediate release

For more information, contact
Donald Keeney or Caitlin Jones

ST. JAMES—The Phelps County Public Housing Agency (PHA) received an unmodified audit report from Schultz, Wood and Rapp, CPA for the period ending June 30, 2024. An unmodified audit report occurs when an independent auditor deems a company’s financial statements are fairly and appropriately presented, without any identified exceptions, and in compliance with generally accepted accounting principles and applicable federal regulations.

“I am pleased that our organization received a clean audit, reflecting our commitment to transparency, accountability and responsible stewardship of public resources,” said PHA Housing Manager Donald Keeney. “This achievement demonstrates the hard work of our dedicated staff and reinforces our promise to our communities to manage public housing funds with the highest level of integrity. We remain focused on ensuring that every dollar is spent effectively to improve the quality of life for our participants.”

The PHA board approved the audit at its Jan. 9 meeting.

In fiscal year 2023-2024, the Phelps County PHA provided rental assistance to about 700 low-income families in Crawford, Dent, Gasconade, Maries, Phelps (outside the city limits of Rolla) and Washington counties in a sum of roughly $3.2 million. The PHA also offers the Family Self-Sufficiency Program where clients develop a goal-oriented, five-year plan that moves them toward self-sufficiency and independence from government programs. Additionally, the staff performed 1,123 tenant inspections. 

Currently, the Phelps County PHA wait list is closed. Current participants of the HUD Choice Voucher Program, administered by the Phelps County PHA, are not impacted by this closure. Public notice will be provided once the waitlist has reopened. Those currently on the waiting list will not need to reapply but will maintain their position on the waitlist once the list has reopened.

The Phelps County PHA advisory board is made up of the presiding commissioners from Crawford, Dent, Gasconade, Maries, Phelps and Washington counties and one resident advisory member. Officers are Chairman Tim Schulte, Vice-Chairman Steve Black, and Secretary Gary Larson. The PHA board contracts with the Meramec Regional Planning Commission (MRPC) for staffing and program operations. 

Formed in 1969, MRPC is a voluntary council of governments serving Crawford, Dent, Gasconade, Maries, Osage, Phelps, Pulaski and Washington counties and their respective cities. Mary Heywood, representing the unemployed, serves as chair of the board. A professional staff of 27 offers technical assistance and services, such as grant preparation and administration, housing assistance, transportation planning, environmental planning, ordinance codification, business loans and other services to member communities.

To keep up with the latest MRPC news and events, visit the MRPC website at www.meramecregion.org or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/meramecregion/.

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