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Boonville —
U.S. Rep. Sam Graves, R-Mo., has asked that a proposed Boonville housing project be re-examined to ensure that government funds are properly spent, according to a letter that his office sent to the Missouri Housing Development Commission.
"Due to the uneasiness expressed by constituents after your agency approved the Kemper Village (Homes) project, I believe it necessary to re-review this project before it moves forward, to ensure our government dollars are being spent appropriately," states the letter, dated Friday.
The Boonville Daily News received a copy of the document by fax. Among the questions it includes:
- "Would the targeted individuals of the Kemper Village project still plan on moving to other residential housing in the Boonville area should the project come to a halt?"
- "Since the properties are available for rent for the first 15 years and subsequently can be purchased, does this mean the tax assessment will be based on property value rather than rental income at that time as well?"
Boonville City Council is scheduled to vote on whether to approve the project at a meeting tonight at City Hall, 525 E. Spring St. A public hearing about the housing plans is set for 6 p.m.
The plans have drawn criticism, most notably from the Boonslick Area Landlords Association. President Jim Edwards has expressed concern that other property owners will not be able to compete with the $500 monthly rent Kemper would offer. Concerns about whether the St. Louis development group will use out-of-town contractors and suppliers also have been raised.
The letter from Graves' office is addressed to Tina Beer, director of operations for the housing commission. She could not immediately be reached for comment.
The landlords group has not determined what it will do if the council approves the project at tonight's meeting, Vice President Herby Twenter said. He said the group contacted Graves' office with its concerns, and he said it's unclear whether the housing commission has responded to several questions posed in the letter.
U.S. Rep. Sam Graves, R-Mo., has asked that a proposed Boonville housing project be re-examined to ensure that government funds are properly spent, according to a letter that his office sent to the Missouri Housing Development Commission.
"Due to the uneasiness expressed by constituents after your agency approved the Kemper Village (Homes) project, I believe it necessary to re-review this project before it moves forward, to ensure our government dollars are being spent appropriately," states the letter, dated Friday.
The Boonville Daily News received a copy of the document by fax. Among the questions it includes:
- "Would the targeted individuals of the Kemper Village project still plan on moving to other residential housing in the Boonville area should the project come to a halt?"
- "Since the properties are available for rent for the first 15 years and subsequently can be purchased, does this mean the tax assessment will be based on property value rather than rental income at that time as well?"
Boonville City Council is scheduled to vote on whether to approve the project at a meeting tonight at City Hall, 525 E. Spring St. A public hearing about the housing plans is set for 6 p.m.
The plans have drawn criticism, most notably from the Boonslick Area Landlords Association. President Jim Edwards has expressed concern that other property owners will not be able to compete with the $500 monthly rent Kemper would offer. Concerns about whether the St. Louis development group will use out-of-town contractors and suppliers also have been raised.
The letter from Graves' office is addressed to Tina Beer, director of operations for the housing commission. She could not immediately be reached for comment.
The landlords group has not determined what it will do if the council approves the project at tonight's meeting, Vice President Herby Twenter said. He said the group contacted Graves' office with its concerns, and he said it's unclear whether the housing commission has responded to several questions posed in the letter.
