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

The Missouri Housing Trust Fund (MHTF) has played a pivotal role in addressing the housing needs of the state’s most vulnerable populations for more than 30 years. Administered by the Missouri Housing Development Commission (MHDC), the MHTF provides essential funding for various housing-related services, including rental assistance, emergency aid, home repairs, and the construction and...Read More

A fresh start after being released from prison and becoming a returning citizen should be an amazing feeling; however, that isn’t the case for many of Missouri’s formerly incarcerated individuals. The reality is that most formerly incarcerated individuals face a major barrier in finding housing and stability. This is an even more challenging experience due...Read More