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Approaching affordable housing

Several groups are trying to address the housing issue in Jefferson City, said Stefani Thompson, the Cole County community organizer for Central Missouri Community Action (CMCA). In addition to Landmark Church and Transformational Housing, Habitat for Humanity is building four to five homes a year.

A local task force intended to help people overcome homelessness also has two committees looking at what options are available. The Homeless Task Force (HTF) is made up of members of members of the Project Homeless Connect committee, Missouri Department of Social Services, Missouri Department of Mental Health, faith organizations and Jefferson City leadership, including Mayor Carrie Tergin.

And, CMCA is moving on several projects.

CMCA, Thompson said, is trying to acquire land in Jefferson City to build single-family homes or rental units.

“We’re in the very, very early stages,” she continued. “We have several in Boone County.”

CMCA also has land trusts and other apartments. It has sold single-family homes to clients at affordable prices, she said.

It’s looking at “tiny house” projects. Tiny houses are generally smaller than 400 square feet. In some communities, they have full amenities, including cooking and bathing areas. Some communities use them to help house homeless people.

In those projects, the tiny houses offer safe, weatherproof, lockable, heated cabins in which homeless people can sleep. Clients of the projects have access to restroom facilities, showers and laundry facilities. Most projects have counseling offices and a security/manager cabin.

Staff at CMCA had planned to visit projects in Branson and Springfield, but canceled because of COVID-19. CMCA is now looking at tiny homes in Columbia, and at a manufacturer in Ashland.

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2021-10-17T07:00:00.0000000Z

2021-10-17T07:00:00.0000000Z

https://edition.newstribune.com/article/281835761891835

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