Mo. housing commission adopts ethics reform

The Missouri Housing Development Commission passed ethics reform Friday following a state audit in June that raised ethical concerns about commissioners’ business ties to developers.

Missouri State Treasurer Clint Zweifel, the agency’s new chairman, said the new standards of conduct require commissioners and staff to identify personal financial conflicts of interest and not have business relationships with applicants.

The state housing agency uses tax credits and tax-free bonds to help finance construction of affordable houses and apartments.

Earlier this month, Gov. Jay Nixon appointed John Temporiti, a St. Louis lawyer and former Mayflower Transit president, to serve on the commission.

The commission next meets Aug. 28.