To date, nearly 92% of private housing sector building permits have been issued for reconstruction in the recovery area. 2,090 single family residential homes have been rebuilt, repaired, or have permits to do so. The City’s housing assistance program, JHAP, which provides qualified homebuyers up to $30,000 in closing costs and down payment support, has currently placed over 450 homebuyers into new homes providing over $13.5 million in assistance.

Within a one mile radius of the new library development at 20th and Connecticut Streets, 1,135 units within duplexes or multi-family developments have been completed to date, plus 158 units are currently under construction. Of the total 1,483 multi-family units permitted, 751 units are occupied or ready for occupancy. Of those 751 units occupied or ready for occupancy, 406 are considered affordable.

In May 2014, the Joplin City Council approved an agreement with the Joplin Housing Authority to help over 80 low-income residences affected by the 2011 tornado. The agreement provided $290,000 for tenant-based rental assistance and will be taken from the awarded 2012 Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Recovery Fund. The funding was utilized to help low-income families subsidize their rent after post-event rental market prices fluctuated. The city also authorized $210,000 from the block grant to provide repairs to damaged homes that insurance and FEMA could not cover, these include parking lot repairs and landscaping.

Joplin Housing Assistance Program Video