Stimulus Money Available To Help Winterize Homes

Mayor Mark Funkhouser said he is looking to stop foreclosures in Missouri.Funkhouser was set on Monday to ask the state attorney general to suspend foreclosures within the state.Earlier on Monday at the headquarters for the city's Green Impact Zone, Wells Fargo Bank announced it is donating 23 foreclosed houses in the Ivanhoe Neighborhood, which is in the Green Impact Zone. The bank is also donating $172,000 to rehab and weatherize the houses.In another announcement, more than $7 million in stimulus money will be used to weatherize homes throughout Kansas City. Rep. Emanuel Cleaver said the Green Impact Zone, the first of its kind in the nation, is essential in helping those in need get out of debt."Right here in the heart of the city, where people are the poorest, they will be able to spend less money on the very important utility and energy usage," Cleaver said. "We're transforming things here. Cities around the nation are trying to emulate what we have done here."The goal is to weatherize more than 650 homes. Homeowners wanting more information about the program should call 816-701-8300. Or click on Greenimpactzone.org.