Excelsior Springs, Mo. – Across Missouri, the demand for safe, stable, and affordable housing continues to grow. To address this, the Missouri Chapter of the National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials (MO NAHRO) is encouraging state and federal lawmakers to consider a range of policy adjustments—aimed not at adding complexity, but at removing barriers that housing providers face every day.
MO NAHRO represents the professionals and agencies who operate public housing, manage Housing Choice Voucher programs, and support community development initiatives across the state. Rather than focusing on promotion, the organization is working to elevate issues and suggest practical solutions for the people and families these programs serve.
Among those involved in the movement is Carrie Hiltner, Executive Director of the Excelsior Springs Housing Authority, who serves as Senior Vice-President for MO NAHRO. Her leadership helps ensure that the voices of smaller, rural communities like Excelsior Springs are included in the statewide conversation about housing policy.
Missouri’s Housing Landscape
According to data compiled by NAHRO, more than 37,000 families in Missouri rely on Housing Choice Vouchers to pay rent, while another 14,000 families live in public housing. Many of those served are elderly, disabled, or families with children. Meanwhile, more than 7,300 individuals in Missouri are currently experiencing homelessness.
Strengthening Affordable Housing Tools
One of the main tools used to increase the supply of affordable housing is the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC). Missouri currently has over 73,000 units supported by this program. Advocates want Congress to expand these tax credits so that more affordable units can be created and preserved, not just in urban centers but across the entire state.
Policy Adjustments on the Table
MO NAHRO and its partners are asking for several straightforward changes:
Increase federal funding levels to ensure housing agencies can continue serving current residents and shorten waiting lists.
Re-evaluate HUD requirements that can make it difficult for local agencies to operate efficiently.
Update funding formulas to better reflect each community’s needs, allowing for more local flexibility.
Why the Davis-Bacon Act Matters
One specific area advocates are focused on is the Davis-Bacon Act—a federal law from 1931 that requires construction workers on federally funded projects over $2,000 to be paid the local “prevailing wage.”
While the intent is to protect workers and local wage standards, housing authorities point out that the $2,000 threshold hasn’t been updated in nearly a century. That means even minor repair jobs can trigger wage compliance paperwork, payroll audits, and other administrative tasks that are disproportionately burdensome, especially for small agencies.
Housing advocates are not asking to eliminate Davis-Bacon. They are asking Congress to adjust the contract threshold to $250,000 so that the law better reflects today’s construction costs. This change would allow agencies to spend more money on housing and less on bureaucracy.
What’s at Stake in Federal Budget Proposals
In 2023, Missouri received $269 million in Housing Choice Voucher funding. However, proposals in the FY25 House and Senate budgets suggest significant cuts. NAHRO estimates that under the House version, 4,777 Missouri families could lose access to rental assistance, with another 1,069 impacted by the Senate proposal.
How to Get Involved
For Missourians concerned about housing access, MO NAHRO encourages direct engagement. If you believe affordable housing should remain a priority, consider reaching out to your congressional representatives.
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