News – Monday, January 12th 2026

The Missouri Housing Development Commission (MHDC) has officially approved the financing package for Spring Creek Ridge, a new 40-unit affordable senior housing development in Salem designed for residents aged 55 and older. The Commission voted on December 9th to award the project a combination of federal and state Low-Income Housing Tax Credits and an MHDC HOME loan, securing the resources needed to proceed to closing and construction. Spring Creek Ridge is being developed through a partnership between the Salem Housing Authority, RCH Development, South Central Missouri Community Action Agency, and a highly experienced group of project partners. The development team is led by Chad Hartle, a veteran affordable housing developer with over three decades of experience delivering LIHTC communities throughout Missouri. The housing development commission funding round was highly competitive, with 86 applications submitted from communities across Missouri and only 29 developments approved statewide. Securing an award required exceptional coordination, local commitment, and broad-based support. The approval of Spring Creek Ridge reflects years of preparation and a unified effort by the Salem Housing Authority, Salem Mayor Greg Parker, City Administrator Sally Burbridge, the Salem City Council, State Representative John Hewkin, and State Senator Justin Brown as well as private partners working together toward a shared goal of expanding affordable senior housing. Carrie Sutterfield, Salem’s Economic Development Director, and Melissa Shaw, Executive Director of the Salem Housing Authority, played key roles in advancing the proposal. According to the housing development commission reservation letter, Spring Creek Ridge has been awarded$1,080,000 in Federal 9% Housing Tax Credits, $756,000 in State 9% Housing Tax Credits and $650,000 in MHDC HOME funding. These resources will finance a modern senior housing community featuring 32 affordable units and 8 market-rate units. Affordable two-bedroom units are projected at $690 per month, while market-rate units are set at $775. The City of Salem has demonstrated exceptional support for the project, including donating the development site and passing resolutions committing to rezoning. Spring Creek Ridge will also fund $400,000 in critical sewer upgrades—improvements long needed by the City. Spring Creek Ridge will consist of ten residential buildings and a community building, offering 40 spacious two-bedroom apartments, on-site social services and resident support, energy-efficient construction and modern amenities, high-speed broadband infrastructure and a community-focused design that fosters safety and independence. The commission will now proceed with the Conditional Reservation Agreement and environmental review processes, with closing anticipated late in 2026.

January is National Human Trafficking Prevention Month, with National Human Trafficking Awareness Day taking place on Sunday, January 11th. With employees working on the state’s roads every day, the Missouri Department of Transportation is on the front lines of our state’s fight against human trafficking. This January, MoDOT asks everyone to help prevent human trafficking by learning the signs and what to do if you suspect human trafficking is occurring. Places such as rest stops, gas stations, convenience stores, fast-food establishments and hotels are common locations for the practice of human trafficking. According to the National Human Trafficking Hotline, in 2024 there were 272 cases of human trafficking identified in Missouri involving 539 victims, up from 247 cases a year earlier. Nationally, these numbers jump to nearly 12,000 cases identified in 2024 alone, with nearly 22,000 victims. MoDOT provides specialized training to employees on how to identify the common indicators of human trafficking and what to do when trafficking is suspected in Missouri. Some of the warning signs of a potential trafficking situation include signs of physical abuse, wearing clothing inappropriate for the weather or location, not being in possession of their own money or identification, body language indicating discomfort, lack of eye contact with anyone except their trafficker or not being allowed to speak for themselves. If you suspect someone is being forced to engage in any activity from which they can’t leave, call the National Human Trafficking Resource Center hotline at 1-888-373-7888 or text BeFree (233733). Information is available online at humantraffickinghotline.org. Please save the National Human Trafficking Hotline number and if someone is in immediate danger, call 9-1-1.