Lutheran Housing Support awarded $55,000 in tax credits

Eligible donors can leverage gifts to support affordable housing, redevelopment efforts
in St. Louis’ College Hill neighborhood

For Immediate Release

Contact:  Vicki Biggs
@theLCMS
314-996-1236/314-556-3829 (cell)
@VickiBiggs2

ST. LOUIS, May 23, 2013—LCMS National Housing Support Corp. (LHS) has been awarded a $55,000 tax credit allocation through the Missouri Housing Development Commission’s Affordable Housings Assistance Program (AHAP). The credits will be used to expand LHS’ affordable housing development efforts in the College Hill neighborhood of North St. Louis.

AHAP credits are valued at 55 percent of a donation amount and can be applied to a donor’s Missouri business income tax liability. To be eligible for an AHAP credit, a donor must be subject to Missouri tax from business activities performed in the state. Nearly all types of business entities may be eligible for AHAP credits, and individuals with Missouri revenue from the following also may be eligible:

Sole proprietorships

S-corporations

Limited Liability Companies

Rental units

Farms

Donations can be made in the form of in-kind labor or materials, cash gifts from business income, securities or property. Donors who wish to receive an AHAP credit must make their gifts to LHS by June 30, 2013.

All donations leveraged through AHAP credits will support the material and construction costs of LHS’ Nazareth Homes development in the historic College Hill community. LHS hopes to raise $100,000 through the distribution of these credits.

“We thank the Missouri Housing Development Commission for its support of the College Hill project through this tax credit allocation. It is a great boon for the College Hill community and Nazareth Homes,” said James Kienker, LHS’ director of advancement. “We hope that businesses and eligible donors will take advantage of this unique opportunity to support a very worthy community development project and receive a generous tax benefit at the same time.”

LHS broke ground on the 20-home development March 20. Just four miles north of downtown, College Hill is one of St. Louis’ most impoverished neighborhoods. Nazareth Homes will provide affordable home-ownership opportunities to individuals and families of modest means.

“The communitywide effort to restore the College Hill neighborhood is serving to empower residential leadership and features installing community gardens, renovating aging homes and building new ones,” said Nicole Ridley, LHS’ chief executive officer. “The Nazareth Homes development is the embodiment of the residents’ vision for the neighborhood. We are grateful for our generous donors and thankful to God for the gifts He blesses us with so we can carry out that vision.”

To make a donation or for more information about the AHAP tax credits, contact Kienker at 800-248-1930, ext. 2823 or james.kienker@lcms.org.

About LCMS National Lutheran Housing Support Corporation
LCMS National Lutheran Housing Support Corp., d/b/a Lutheran Housing Support (LHS), is a separately incorporated nonprofit that expands the housing ministry of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS). The agency connects LCMS congregations, districts, LCMS Recognized Service Organizations and their community partners with expertise and financial resources to help revitalize neighborhoods and provide affordable housing. LHS has partnered with congregations and civic and business leaders to revitalize the Spring Creek Nehemiah area in New York City, the Ezra Housing project in Chicago, the College Hill neighborhood in St. Louis and the Lutheran Community Outreach Center in Fort Wayne, Ind. To learn more, visit www.lcms.org/lhs.

About The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod
The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) is a biblical, confessional, witness-oriented Christian denomination with 2.3 million members in 6,200 congregations. Through acts of witness and mercy, the church strives to make known the love of Jesus Christ around the world. Learn more at www.lcms.org.

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