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HANNIBAL, MO. -- The economy is beginning to show signs of improvement, but many people are still struggling to make ends meet.

One of the ways NECAC serves 12 counties in Northeast Missouri is by providing affordable homes to low income families and individuals.

NECAC is now better able to serve the Hannibal after unveiling its new-look Hannibal Apartments Monday.

KHQA's Jarod Wells was on hand to tour the renovated apartments and talk to one of the tenants.

"Oh, I think it's really fantastic," said Mary Beadle.

Mary Beadle has lived in the Hannibal Apartments for five years and is extremely excited about the new features.

"You have all the cabinets. I have more cabinets than I had before, and the hard wood floors. You can tell they're clean where on carpets you can't. So it's been nice. I have a washer and dryer inside and I have a handicap, so I have the big shower and stuff. I think it's great," said Beadle.

Hannibal Apartments first opened in 1989. NECAC took over ownership in 2006

"This housing was here before, but it needed to be renovated and rehabbed and everything redone to it," said Carla Potts, NECAC Deputy Director for Housing Development.

After a little more than a year of work and $6.7 million  in renovations the new Hannibal Apartments were unveiled Monday. One of the most important features, energy efficiency.

"We looked at the insulation, the appliances are energy star, energy efficient appliances. And we know that helps a lot when people are looking to move some place," said Potts.

Carla Potts with NECAC told me all 72 units were leased before construction was even completed.

"There's lots of people with Section 8 vouchers that look for housing, but there's just families that look for housing, that's good, quality housing. Sometimes there's housing in a community, but it's aging housing stock. So they're looking for good housing that's affordable and energy efficient," said Potts.

And for many people affordable housing is hard to find.

"I know I couldn't rent a place in Hannibal that I could afford, then I'd have to live with my children, one of them," said Beadle.

With the need for affordable housing growing across the country, the renovated Hannibal Apartments are opening doors to more homes for low income families.

The Hannibal Apartments complex also has a learning center, community room and internet access in the main office.

NECAC owns 12 hundred 27 affordable housing units in its 12-county service area.