Housing (Affordable Housing)

HB 2491 revises Missouri's rules for senior rental housing subsidies by replacing outdated definitions and creating new income-based categories. It directly affects senior housing projects (buildings with 4+ units built/rehabbed under federal programs and restricted to seniors) and their tenants, particularly those classified as "low income," "moderate income," or "middle income senior" based on HUD income thresholds. Key provisions define terms like "affordable rent" (capped at 30% of tenant income) and require subsidies to "expand affordability" for low-income seniors. The bill updates how the Missouri Housing Development Commission administers these subsidies, ensuring they align with federal housing standards.

HB 1715 creates a Missouri tax credit program to incentivize workforce and disaster recovery housing projects. It provides tax credits against state income or franchise taxes for housing developers, contractors, or nonprofits building projects that meet specific criteria, including locations in designated "distressed workforce housing communities" or counties with state disaster declarations eligible for FEMA aid. Projects must include at least two single-family homes (or four in non-small cities), three multi-unit dwelling units, or two units in redeveloped multi-use buildings. The credits cover qualifying costs like construction or rehabilitation, excluding amounts already covered by other government grants or tax credits, and target underutilized sites like brownfields (contaminated properties) or grayfields (blighted, outdated developments).

SB 873 proposes a tax credit for landlords or housing providers who offer shelter to victims of domestic violence. This bill directly affects housing organizations and property owners by providing a financial incentive to support survivors. The key mechanism is a tax credit that offsets the costs associated with providing safe housing, without requiring victims to pay for it directly. The bill is currently in committee review and has not yet been enacted.

SB 1105 establishes Missouri's Rural Workforce Housing Investment Act to address housing shortages in rural communities (populations under 50,000). It creates a state grant program through the Department of Economic Development, providing nonprofit housing organizations with up to $1 million per grant (with a $2 million lifetime limit) to build or rehabilitate affordable housing. Grants require a 1:1 match from private sources and fund projects where owner-occupied homes cost ≤$275,000 or rentals ≤$200,000 (adjusted annually by inflation). Nonprofits must annually certify their work, manage funds transparently, and return unspent grants if projects stall beyond 24 months.

HB 2531 creates tax credits to incentivize converting old office buildings into residential spaces in Missouri downtowns and Main Street districts. Property owners who substantially convert qualifying office buildings (over 50% residential use) to residential or mixed-use spaces can claim a 25% tax credit on eligible renovation costs, or 30% for upper-floor housing in designated Main Street districts. The credits can be transferred multiple times and carried forward up to ten years if they exceed annual tax liability. The program is capped at $50 million annually, with 50% reserved for large buildings (>750,000 sq ft) and 25% specifically for Main Street upper-floor housing projects. It directly affects developers and property owners undertaking downtown revitalization conversions.