City of Joplin Receives Substantial Housing Initiative Grant from Missouri Department of Economic Development

(Joplin, MO) – City of Joplin officials were notified late last week of a $3.5 million State of Missouri award toward community revitalization efforts. The City is one of 70 grants awarded by Missouri Department of Economic Development (DED) through their Community Revitalization Grant Program.

Funded through the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), this program is focused on investing in communities of all sizes to support local priorities, encourage economic recovery, and build resilience for the future.

In recent months, City leaders with the help of their consultant, Guidehouse, have established a prioritized list of unfunded needs that would qualify for ARPA grant applications.

“This is great news for the City and our community,” said Nick Edwards, City Manager. “This grant provides funding to establish several programs for the City’s Affordable Housing Preservation initiative and help improve our neighborhoods and clean up areas of neglect and disrepair. Council set these goals in 2020 and allows us much needed resources to address declining neighborhoods and provide more affordable housing.”

The grant provides $3.5 million and with the City’s ARPA match contribution, the City of Joplin will have $7 million committed to community revitalization and establish several programs, including:

• $2 million for minor home repairs, defined as no more than $40,000 per household
• $2 million for demolition of dangerous structures
• $3 million for down payment assistance, and closing costs, defined as no more than 20% and not to exceed $40,000 per applicant

“We’re thrilled for what this will mean for the community,” he said. “With this funding, we believe we will be able to see real and significant improvements.

These grants are very competitive, and we want to thank all who were a part of this process. Our application included support letters from Representative Lane Roberts, then Senator Bill White, then Congressman Billy Long, Jasper County Commissioners Darieus Adams and John Bartosh, the entire Newton County Commission, EastTown Dreams District, Economic Security Corporation, Downtown Joplin Alliance, Joplin Area Chamber of Commerce, Ozark Gateway Association of Realtors, Joplin Area Habitat for Humanity, Joplin R-VIII Schools, and North Heights Neighborhood Association. This grant received overwhelming support from our political leaders, as well as representatives across the community, and we appreciate the community lift. City staff and our consultant, Guidehouse, worked very hard to make this happen and will be a part of this significant step of improving Joplin’s housing stock and availability.”

Other Joplin recipients from this program are Joplin Area Habitat for Humanity and Main Street Joplin.

Reference

Lynn Iliff Onstot, Public Information Officer
City of Joplin
417.624.0820, ext. 1204
LOnstot@joplinmo.org