Midwest BankCentre to Administer $300,000 in Housing Grants Awarded to Beyond Housing Inc. for Home Improvements

ST. LOUIS – Help for low-income families with children, disabled persons and elderly individuals living in substandard homes is on the way thanks to $900,000 in housing grants awarded to Beyond Housing Inc.  Midwest BankCentre, which recently opened a branch bank in Pagedale, Mo, will administer $300,000 of the grant money.  The funding was announced on Feb. 11, 2013 and is part of $2 million in grants from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Des Moines to five area non-profits.

“Our partnership with Beyond Housing continues to strengthen communities,” said Ron Barnes, chairman of Midwest BankCentre and a board member of Beyond Housing.  “This grant, coupled with Midwest BankCentre’s unique Affordable Home Improvement Loans, helps homeowners in low- and moderate-income areas of our community fund needed repairs and other improvements to their homes, enhancing neighborhoods long-term.”

The grant to Beyond Housing will provide funds to improve 75 homes in Bel-Ridge, Velda City and Vinita Park, including vital repairs to homes that are more than 60 years old, making them safer and more affordable. Eligible homeowners will receive up to $12,000 as a forgivable loan to make the improvements.

“We are pleased again to be partnering with Beyond Housing to help provide safe and affordable housing opportunities in the communities we serve,” said James A. Watson, president, Midwest BankCentre.   “The forgivable loans will not only help repair homes and improve lives, but will also help eliminate blighting influences within the neighborhoods and advance Beyond Housing’s ‘24:1’ initiative.” 

The “24:1” initiative is designed improve each of the 24 communities that compromise the Normandy School District and includes the communities of Bel-Ridge, Velda City and Vinita Park  that will benefit from the grants.

In addition to Midwest BankCentre, Reliance Bank and Commerce Bank will also administer the $900,000 in grants awarded to Beyond Housing.  The remaining grant money was awarded to the Community Action Agency of St. Louis, Lemay Housing, Rebuilding Together – St. Louis and St. Louis County Office of Community Development. 

Beyond Housing’s mission is to strengthen neighborhoods, one family at a time. This is done by providing support services to families, children and seniors; being a catalyst for community-wide rebuilding efforts; empowering residents to be leaders of their own neighborhood revitalization efforts; and promoting individual and community asset building. Additional information about Beyond Housing can be found online at www.beyondhousing.org.

 Founded in 1906, Midwest BankCentre (www.midwestbankcentre.com) provides integrated financial services with an expertise in commercial and retail banking, including checking and savings accounts, business cash management, mortgage lending and wealth management. As a community bank, Midwest BankCentre makes decisions on a local level and clients have full access to the executive team. Since 2001, it has consistently achieved the Bauer Financial 5-Star Superior financial rating