Eight counties | 36 cities | one region

ST. JAMES­—Dent County Commissioner Darrell Skiles was elected secretary of the Phelps County Public Housing Agency (PHA) at the May meeting.

The Phelps County PHA is an equal opportunity housing agency that offers HUD’s housing choice voucher rental assistance to very low-income families in Crawford, Dent, Gasconade, Maries, Washington counties, and Phelps County, outside the city of Rolla. Osage and Pulaski counties, also a part of the Meramec Region, are served by other housing agencies.

Skiles, who previously served as chairman, replaced Crawford County Commissioner Leo Sanders as secretary. Sanders was elected to vice chair and Maries County Commissioner Ray Schwartze was elected chairman.

Following elections, the PHA reviewed financials and proposed budget reports. Utility allowances for the 2015-16 fiscal year will remain the same.

Phelps County PHA board consists of a seven-member board that is made up of presiding commissioners in the six participating counties. PHA contracts with the Meramec Regional Planning Commission to operate the program.

Formed in 1969, MRPC is a voluntary council of governments serving Crawford, Dent, Gasconade, Maries, Osage, Phelps, Pulaski and Washington counties and their respective cities. A professional staff of 21, directed by the MRPC board, offers technical assistance and services, such as grant preparation and administration, housing assistance, transportation planning, environmental planning, ordinance codification, business loans and other services to member communities.

Housing assistance is provided to very low-income residents who meet federal income criteria and other eligibility requirements. The Phelps County PHA takes applications for rental assistance on Wednesdays from 8 to 11 a.m. and from 1 to 4 p.m. at its office at 4 Industrial Drive, St. James. Persons in Washington County can meet with housing staff and complete applications from 9 a.m. to noon on the first and third Tuesdays at the Washington County Library, 235 E. High St. in Potosi.

To keep up with the latest Phelps County PHA and MRPC news and events, visit the MRPC website at www.meramecregion.org or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/meramecregion.