The Tri-State Housing Summit is celebrating its 20th year of making the American Dream of homeownership a reality in Northeast Missouri, West-Central Illinois and Southeast Iowa.

The event is from 9 a.m. to noon June 12 at The Rialto Banquet Hall, 601 Broadway in Hannibal.  There is no admission charge and the public is invited. A lunch will be served, with RSVPs requested by June 5 by calling 573-324-6622.

The forum brings together housing advocates, community stakeholders, private sector leaders and government representatives to highlight successes and discuss housing options.

“We are excited to celebrate the 20th year of the Housing Summit,” said NECAC Deputy Director for Housing Development Programs Carla Potts, who founded the event in 2005. “Much work has been accomplished to improve housing conditions, but more is needed. The 20th year is not the end, but just the beginning of what can be done. Together, we are stronger.”

Public and private partners have been involved since the beginning. The summit counts as successes a prison homes program in Iowa and work with USDA the Self-Help Housing program in Missouri and Illinois.

One of the biggest successes came in 2013, when NECAC was instrumental in bringing a USDA Great Regions designation to the 35-county area that makes up the Tri-State Development Summit. The designation gave the region another tool in building a better housing market.

Potts said the lineup of speakers this year is strong. Included are the regional administrator of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development; the Midwest director of NeighborWorks America; and a variety of state and local leaders. In addition, clients helped through the summit are scheduled to make presentations.

CUTLINE FOR PHOTO:

The audience listens to a speaker at last year’s Tri-State Housing Summit. This year’s event is from 9 a.m. to noon June 12 at The Rialto Banquet Center, 601 Broadway in Hannibal. It is free and open to the public.