MISSION

  • The mission of the Missouri Workforce Housing Association (MOWHA) is to have a sustained effort influencing positive workforce housing policy at the federal, state, and local levels.

  • We are the chief advocate in Jefferson City for the community and industry, utilizing our policy expertise and practical know-how to help preserve successful programs. And we are the ombudsman, facilitating members’ ability to solve problems that may be encountered in a variety of state programs.

  • We monitor all state government actions regarding affordable housing incentives.

  • MOWHA actively participates in the review of the state’s annual Qualified Annual Plan and provide input throughout the year to MHDC. Each fall, we hold an annual members meeting, and each spring/summer, we hold a major conference, open to anyone interested in affordable housing.

  • A 15-member Board of Directors sets MOWHA policy. The Board of Directors receives recommendations from board committees, including an MHDC/QAP Committee, a Property and Asset Management Committee, a Conference Committee, and  a Government Relations/Legislative Committee. Our Executive Director manages committee work and day-to-day operations.

  • We support initiatives that advance the cause of affordable housing throughout the state and work to build public and legislative backing to buttress these programs.

  • We distill the views of MOWHA members into a coherent agenda which our Advocacy and Legislative teams take to key policymakers in the legislative & executive branches.

  • We are vigilant in our legislative monitoring and tireless in our efforts to mobilize support for - and oppose cuts to - critical affordable housing programs.

    Why Are Affordable Housing Programs Needed?

    Missouri, and the United States in general, are facing an affordable rental housing crisis. An unprecedented 11 million renter households — more than one in four — spend more than half of their income on rent.* There are currently thousands of people on waitlists for decent housing in counties across Missouri. 

    The Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) and Housing Bonds help address this vast and growing need for affordable homes. Without these tools, it is virtually impossible to build new affordable housing. 

    LIHTC is the nation’s largest and most successful affordable rental housing production initiative. Since its creation in the 1986 Tax Reform Act, it has leveraged nearly $100 billion in private investment, financing the development of almost 2.8 million affordable rental homes for low-income families.* LIHTC removes government from the process of building, leasing, and maintaining public housing, instead leveraging private investment and market discipline to efficiently house families and conserve taxpayer money.

    State-level LIHTCs are critical supplements to federal credits. MOWHA fights to protect state LIHTCs, as well as the state Affordable Housing Assistance Program. 

    *Data courtesy of Enterprise Community Investment.