Simonsen Place News Today

The Jefferson City Council gave its blessing Tuesday to a senior housing development team seeking state tax credits.

While most wont admit it, the divide within the community over four workforce housing projects that were proposed for Jefferson City can be defined with one acronym: NIMBY.

A review of letters sent in opposition and support of four workforce housing projects proposed for Jefferson City may not explain why the Missouri Housing Development Commission refused to offer tax credits for any of the projects, but it does bring into sharp focus the divide within the community over the projects.

City council members and the mayor expressed the same sentiment: Jefferson City is dealing with a housing crisis.

The Capital City missed four opportunities to begin to address its housing crisis, a persistent and growing problem that is harming the quality of life of many, as well as limiting the economic potential of the community.

Developers and nonprofits who hoped the Missouri Housing Development Commission would support workforce housing in Jefferson City are angry.

Loud opposition to affordable housing may have cost Jefferson City $40 million in funding and possibly many more millions in future economic growth, according to developers.

A housing shortage in Jefferson City needs not a single solution, but implementing several over a period of time, the citys neighborhood supervisor says.