NECAC Housing Development Director Carla Potts (right) participated in a roundtable discussion with U.S. Senator "Kit" Bond (left) in Hannibal on Feb. 17.  Potts told the group NECAC had pumpted $700,000 into the local economy with housing projects.

The 94 red, white and blue balloons at the front of the stage represented the number of families who had received home-ownership counseling and bought houses in Northeast Missouri in the previous year, representing an investment of more than $6 million in the 12-county region.  NECAC President and Chief Executive Officer Don Patrick highlighted one of the cases symbolized by a balloon when he told the story of a 37-year-old single mother with two children.  She'd never had a home of her own and received rent-assistance.  Working with federal, state and local programs, and contributing her own money, the woman was able to buy a house.  She later returned to school and now works as a hospital customer service representative.

"As she signed the papers to buy her home, tears came to the woman's eyes and she said 'I never thought this day would come,'" Patrick told the crowd.  "That lady and the other 93 people NECAC has helped on the road to home-ownership this year are represented by these balloons you see at the foot of the stage.  Our partners from Illinois and Iowa have their own stories of success.  And because we are united in purpose, our chance for even greater accomplishment is exceptional."

Doug Neff, director of single-family housing in Missouri and Kansas for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), said partnerships are a key, especially during tough housing markets.

"The American dream should be available for all Americans," Neff said.  "We must remember that problems in the market are not problems with the dream itself.  We need to promote and protect home-ownership to keep the American dream alive today and for many years to come."