History of the Law The 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act is the result of the largest bipartisan housing effort since the Housing and Development Act of 1968. The legislation is the response of the nation’s congressional representatives to the grim housing outlook Americans have been facing for decades. Arizona Rep. French Hill introduced the...Read More

Date: March 24, 2026 To: Chairman Ben Brown and Members, Senate Committee on Emerging Issues & Professional Registration  From: Lucas Caldwell-McMillan, Chief of Policy Staff, Empower Missouri Re: Support for SB 920 Founded in 1901, Empower Missouri is the largest anti-poverty advocacy organization in the state. As part of our work, we convene a statewide...Read More

Date: March 11, 2026 To: Chairman Lewis and members of the House Elementary and Secondary Education Committee From:   Erica Robbins, Affordable Housing Policy Manager, Empower Missouri Re: Support for HB 2722 Empower Missouri believes a Missouri without homelessness is possible. We are the largest anti-poverty advocacy organization in the state and have been advocating...Read More

Date: March 5, 2026 To: Chairman Casteel and members of the House Commerce Committee From:  Erica Robbins, Affordable Housing Policy Manager, Empower Missouri Re: Support for HB 3230 Empower Missouri believes a Missouri without homelessness is possible. We convene a statewide coalition supporting the advancement of evidence-based public policy to increase the availability of affordable...Read More

Date: February 24, 2026 To: Committee Chair Representative Gallick, and members of the House Economic Development Committee  From:  Erica Robbins, Affordable Housing Policy Manager, Empower Missouri Re: Support for HB 1716 Founded in 1901, Empower Missouri is the largest anti-poverty advocacy organization in the state and for 125 years, we have worked diligently to create...Read More

Date: February 11, 2026 To: Chairman Hinman and Members, Local Government Committee From: Erica Robbins, Affordable Housing Policy Manager, Empower Missouri Re: Support for HB 2898 Founded in 1901, Empower Missouri is the largest anti-poverty advocacy organization in the state. As part of our work, we organize a statewide Affordable Housing Coalition. This coalition is...Read More

Date: February 9, 2026 To: Committee Chair Brad Christ, and members of the House Emerging Issues Committee  From: Lucas Caldwell-McMillan, Chief of Policy Staff, Empower Missouri Re: Support for HB 2830 Founded in 1901, Empower Missouri is the largest anti-poverty advocacy organization in the state. As part of our work, we convene a statewide Affordable...Read More

Date: January 28, 2026To: Committee Chair Senator Ben Brown, and members of the Senate Economic and Workforce Development CommitteeFrom: Erica Robbins, Affordable Housing Policy Manager, Empower MissouriRe: Support for SB 1105 Founded in 1901, Empower Missouri is the largest anti-poverty advocacy organization in the state. As part of our work, we convene a statewide Affordable...Read More

This week, committees in the U.S. House of Representatives released major reconciliation proposals with cuts to Medicaid, SNAP, and other programs. As the title suggests, these proposals will have big impacts for Missouri families, our healthcare, our nutrition, and our state budget. The federal government controls the budgets for most major anti-poverty programs. Unfortunately, many...Read More

The Housing Crisis: A Community Issue Affordable housing is one of those phrases that is often seen as a problem for families earning low incomes; however, all Missourians have felt the impacts of the housing crisis. In 2024, Missouri experienced the largest rent increase in the country, and the cost of homeownership continued to rise....Read More