On Friday, November 17, Gov. Eric Greitens and Attorney General Josh Hawley partnered with four members of the Missouri Housing Development Commission to eliminate state tax credits for low-income housing in 2018. With a last-minute, unannounced appointment of a new commissioner by Greitens, the credits were eliminated by a vote with the bare minimum of support needed for approval.
“Eric Greitens and Josh Hawley’s cold-hearted move to hurt some of the most vulnerable Missourians is the worst kind of politics, and they should be ashamed of themselves,” state Senator Jamilah Nasheed (D-St. Louis) said.
“Seniors, veterans, people with disabilities and the working poor depend on these tax credits to provide the housing they need to live with dignity. The last-minute, political stacking of the board, right before the holidays, is not just heartless – it’s irresponsible. Once again, Gov. Greitens’s reckless politics will cost our state millions in federal funds.”
This past September, Greitens appointed former state Senator Jason Crowell to the Missouri Housing Development Commission. Although the Missouri Senate has not yet confirmed Crowell, he put forward an amendment that would eliminate state tax credits for low-income housing in 2018.
With Missouri Lt. Governor Mike Parson and state Treasurer Eric Schmidt opposing the elimination, the board would have been one vote short of the six needed to approve the Crowell Amendment. However, this morning a new commissioner, Alan Simpson, was sworn in after a last-minute, unannounced appointment by Greitens. With this new gubernatorial appointment, and with Greitens and Hawley voting in favor, the Crowell amendment passed, six to two.
The Missouri Housing Development Commission was created in 1969 by the General Assembly. The commission administers, and provides financing for, the construction of affordable housing. It also provides funding for home loans to qualified, first-time buyers through a network of certified, private mortgage lenders.
“Governor Greitens continues to think he has to stand on the necks of vulnerable Missourians to look like he stands for anything,” Nasheed said. “Missourians are sick and tired of Gov. Greitens targeting the poor and working class instead of finding real solutions, and I will continue to fight this governor’s failed leadership every step of the way.”
