Missouri Treasurer Sarah Steelman Celebrates with Families; Says Hope is Making Big Difference in Salisbury Park

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE OCTOBER 14, 2007 JEFFERSON CITY- Today Missouri State Treasurer Sarah Steelman celebrated with the families of Phase II of Salisbury Park Town-Homes for their Grand Opening Celebration. Both Phase I and Phase II of the development were built with the help of tax credits issued by the Missouri Housing Development Commission, on which Treasurer Steelman serves as a commissioner. This project has greatly improved the quality of life for residents and others in the surrounding area. Since the first phase was completed, crime has dramatically gone down. According to the St. Louis Police Department, there were 551 crimes committed in the Hyde Park area in 2005; that number went down to 380 in 2006 after the first phase was completed. Also, the landscape has improved, and more residents own their home or are in the process of owning their own home. Where Salisbury Park sits right now used to be just vacant lots, dilapidated buildings, and unsafe structures. Now, there are nearly 40 brand-new homes built with the help MHDC tax credits. "I look around and see all of these families, these community members, who take pride in living in Salisbury Park," said Treasurer Steelman. "Home is more than bricks and mortar. Home is heart, home is hope, home is love. I am so happy to see such beautiful homes here, and such a beautiful community, and I am thrilled to see and feel the enormous hope that is this place called Salisbury Park." Salisbury Park offers homes for low-income families where residents can either rent of buy their home. The brand-new 3 bedroom apartments rent for as little as $495 per month. Compare that to the average 3-bedroom rate in the St. Louis area that ranges from about $950-$1,500 per month. Also, one of the most unique aspects of the development is renters will have the option to buy their home after 15 years at an affordable price with a discount based upon years of residence. "I want to congratulate Bethlehem Lutheran Church, Better Living Communities, Third Part Neighbor hood Council, Hyde Park Housing Corporation, and Grace Hill Neighborhood Services, for their vision and hard work that is making such a huge difference in so many lives," said Treasurer Steelman. Reverend John Schmidke is the pastor at Bethlehem Lutheran Church which started Better Living Communities' drive to secure the MHDC tax credits and begin building Salisbury Park. He says this is the perfect example of how when you combine the government, the church, and private business you can make great things happen. "I've been the pastor here since 1989 and I would characterize the neighborhood here before as depressed, development just kept passing us by," said Reverend Schmidke. "Now these people have hope, and Sarah Steelman was a key person in getting this to go through. She really carried the ball for us." -- http://www.bransonedge.com http://www.bransonmissouri.blogspot.com