Boone County Family Resources is very happy to partner with others to expand the availability of affordable, universally designed housing for our community. Consistent with the agency’s mission, the new apartments will enhance opportunities for people with developmental disabilities to thrive, connect, and achieve.

• Universal design features will enable people, regardless of ability, to thrive independently as possible in their own home for as long as they choose.
• Both housing projects are located near bus routes, in welcoming neighborhoods, enabling tenants to connect with others and to the larger community.
• Affordability features enable many who might not otherwise have the means to achieve goals for living in places they can call their own, in some cases for the first time.

Boone County Special Needs Affordable Housing is the name of our planned affordable housing. The two apartment buildings, to be located on sites in Central and Southwest Columbia, will provide 28 affordable, energy-efficient apartments. Twenty-four of the apartments will be 1-bedroom units, a need specifically identified in Columbia’s Consolidated Plan for 2015-19.

The project has made great strides over the past year. Funding awarded to the project thus far:  a Columbia Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program grant to assist with demolition of the structurally deteriorating 4-plex on Apple Tree Lane; a $200,000 Affordable Housing grant awarded by the Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines in partnership with Central Bank of Boone County to be used for rental assistance subsidies;  and the Missouri Housing Development Commission (MHDC) has awarded federal and state tax credits and a construction loan for the development of Boone County Special Needs Affordable Housing. Federal and state tax credit investors will be Midwest Housing Equity Group (MHEG) and Sugar Creek Capital LLC.

The new buildings will incorporate universal design and energy efficiency while being visually compatible and complementary to the surrounding homes and their neighborhoods. Buildings will meet all current zoning and code requirements.

Construction and finance plans have been submitted to MHDC for approval. Construction is anticipated to begin in Summer 2016. Occupancy is anticipated to begin in 2017.

Potential tenants include adults with a disability who can live on their own with or without support and small families that include a child with a disability. Universal Design features allow for aging-in-place adding stability to the lives of the tenants. While individualized services are available if needed, the apartments are designed for persons who live independently and do not require 24/7 care. Eligible candidates are encouraged to contact BCFR for additional information or to express their interest in applying for the planned housing.