Tower Grove CDC

Tower Grove Community Development Corporation looks forward to hosting our annual fundraiser, Sustaining Housing Dreams, on November 7th from 5:30PM to 8PM at Little Bevo in the Bevo Mill neighborhood. Thanks to Midwest Bank Centre for their Presenting Sponsorship!

The fundraiser is free to attend with registration https://www.eventbrite.com/e/sustaining-housing-dreams-fundraiser-tickets-919561161187?utm_experiment=test_share_listing&aff=ebdsshios- Sponsorship payments are also available on the registration page or with the Venmo QR code located on the Save the Date image attached above.

Come out and join us as we raise money to help renovate 3772 Chippewa Ave in the Dutchtown neighborhood. TGCDC gained possession of this long vacant property after a successful lawsuit by Dutchtown Main Street and facilitated by Legal Services of Eastern MO against the absentee owner.

AWARDS:

At the event, we will celebrate Midwest Bank Centre as our Community Partner related to the donation of the Crossroads Senior Living development site and their bank-wide community first approach, Brian Phillips for Community Impact as Executive Director of the Washington University Medical Center Redevelopment Corporation, a partnership between BJC HealthCare and Washington University in St. Louis. Under his 25 plus year leadership, Brian has overseen institutional investments of over $50m into the Forest Park Southeast neighborhood, which has resulted in over $1b in private and public investments. and Christian Saller, for Community Service for his work as a long time Neighborhood Improvement Specialist and community development partner. Christian is highly respected as a St. Louis CIty advocate and problem solver, especially with addressing vacant and nuisance properties.

The short awards ceremony starts at 6:30PM.

The fundraiser is free to attend with registration https://www.eventbrite.com/e/sustaining-housing-dreams-fundraiser-tickets-919561161187?utm_experiment=test_share_listing&aff=ebdsshios-

Sponsorship payments are also available on the registration page or with the Venmo QR code located on the Save the Date image attached above.

Sponsorships are available as presented below:

Presenting Sponsor ($10,000)

Midwest Bank Centre

Excellence Award Sponsor ($5000)
Pat & Jane Tracy Fund
First Bank
St. Louis Community Credit Union
Old Orchard
Incarnate Word Foundation
EM Harris
St Louis Equity Fund Inc/Gateway CDFI

Supporting Sponsor ($2500)
US Bank
Great Southern Bank
Commerce Bank
Harambee llc
Peoples National Bank
PNC Bank
Saint Joseph Housing Initiative
DeSales CDC  
RISE  
Simmons Bank 

Brick By Brick Sponsor ($1000)
Park Central CDC
Washington University Redevelopment Corporation
Jason Kempf
Rosenblum Goldenhersh
Katie & Vihar Sheth
Janice Drake 
Jeffrey McGee

Event Sponsor ($500)
Joe Hostman
Grimes Consultants
Lee Kling
True Title
STL Programs
Lutheran Senior Services
SLYMAN Brothers 
Air Dynamics
Denise Phelabaum and Craig Evans
Pete Rothschild
Sean and Kelly Spencer
Steve Butz
Acrisure 

Please contact Sean Spencer for sponsorship opportunities at Sean@towergroveCDC.org

All Levels receive: *Logo/Name identified as a Sponsor on TGCDC website *Logo/Name on Poster prominently displayed in the venue *Logo/Name mentions on TGCDC Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter feeds

More about the Venue: Little Bevo: Originally Built in 1924 by famous beer barons as a private speak easy, this building long sat vacant before being completely remodeled and opened as an event space. Closed in the late 1980's the building deteriorated until purchased in 2021 and brought back to life! Come celebrate in a little slice of STL history! 

As you may know, this year we are pursuing a new initiative to create more support for tenants approved through the ARCH by HomeScreen program. ARCH: At-risk Renters’ Connection to Housing is a part of HomeScreen that helps renters currently or at risk of homelessness connect with landlords open to renting to applicants with barriers. Our goal is that 70% of ARCH applicants approved in 2024 successfully complete the terms of their first lease.

We will reach this goal by providing ongoing support for the renter, caseworker, and landlords who approve ARCH applicants, including assistance finding financial assistance if the tenant falls behind in rent or helping mediate other issues if they come up. We are also creating an animated video series that renters can refer to on their own time throughout their tenancy to help answer common questions. We launched the video series earlier this year and are happy to share two more videos covering “How to Move Out” and “Energy Saving Behavior.”

We are creating these videos based on feedback from our 400+ nonprofit users related to the most common challenges or questions when their clients move into housing. We are using advice from landlords and other published resource guides to create the script for these videos. We are hopeful more tenants will engage with the video format and absorb more of this information as they move through the different stages of their lease.

In 2024, we are pursuing a new initiative to create more support tenants approved through the ARCH by HomeScreen program. ARCH: At-risk Renters’ Connection to Housing is a part of HomeScreen that helps renters currently or at risk of homelessness connect with landlords open to renting to applicants with barriers. We were happy to announce that we housed our 100th household earlier this year, but we also set a goal for 2024 to provide more support to applicants after they are approved for tenancy. We plan to report that 70% of ARCH applicants approved in 2024 successfully complete the terms of their first lease.

We will reach this goal by providing ongoing support for the renter, caseworker, and landlords who approve ARCH applicants, including assistance finding financial assistance if the tenant falls behind in rent or helping mediate other issues if they come up. In addition, we are creating an animated video series that renters can refer to on their own time throughout their tenancy to help answer common questions.

We polled our 400+ nonprofit users to find the most common challenges or questions when their clients move into housing. We also tapped Kristan Nickles, the Tower Grove CDC Asset Manager, and a few national platforms and created a list of about 14 videos. We are happy to announce that the first two videos “Understanding Your Lease” and “Simple Maintenance” are now available on the ARCH by HomeScreen website.

We look forward to continuing to add videos to the website throughout the year and spreading this free resource to renters via the ARCH program.

You are invited to a Landlord & Rehabber Training on Property Management Best Practices, Thursday, August 8, 10 to 11:30am, offered in-person at the Tower Grove Community Development Corp, 2337 So. Kingshighway, 63110. Register in advance here.   https://forms.gle/byWpQ7xY9Svva6P69

 This training session will feature:

·       Dana Gray, Community Development Outreach Coordinator, at Tower Grove CDC. She will review Property Management Best Practices from her perspective as a DIY rehabber, landlord, and property manager for 20 years. Learn from Dana’s successes & mistakes.

·       Adam Drake, HomeScreen Landlord Support Specialist, will review tenant screening process & ARCH (At-risk Renters Connection to Housing).

We will provide coffee, soft drinks, and a snack

This FREE training is open to all landlords, property managers, rehabbers, developers, and any interested parties. The Tower Grove CDC office is ADA compliant.  Contact me ahead of the event, so we can assist with access at a ground level door.  If you have any questions, please contact dana@towergrovecdc.org

PARKING: Free parking on the west side of the building. Enter the parking lot from Southwest Ave.  You will see a door to Tower Grove CDC facing the parking lot.

Other news: Small Business New Filing Requirement

Is your business operating as a limited liability company (LLC)? Take note, there’s a new federal rule requiring most small businesses to file with the U.S. Treasury Department’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN). LLCs and other businesses must report information about their beneficial owners — the persons who ultimately own or control the company. You don’t need an attorney or an accountant to complete the form, and there is no filing fee. Find the instructions and FAQs on the FinCEN website. Companies that were created before 2024 have until the end of this year to file. Those created in 2024 have 90 days after their incorporation to file. Companies established in 2025 (and thereafter) will have 30 days to register. The new rules are intended to combat money laundering, terrorism financing, organized crime, and other financial crimes. 

ARCH by HomeScreen: At-risk Renters’ Connection to Housing (ARCH) launched in March of 2021. ARCH was created through CARES Act funding, granted in 2020, to help low to moderate-income renters whose housing was affected by the economic effects of the pandemic. Over the years, the focus has shifted to help any person currently at risk of homelessness to locate safe and stable housing. This month we celebrate our 100th household approved through the ARCH program. 

Over the past three years, HomeScreen staff at Tower Grove Community Development Corporation (TGCDC) have worked on recruiting and onboarding landlords and nonprofit users to the ARCH platform. We currently work with over 380 nonprofit users from 100 different organizations. The demand from nonprofit organizations needing a resource to find affordable housing has exceeded our expectations. Homelessness is on the rise throughout the St. Louis metro area. As of April 2024, there are over 2,000 homeless individuals in the City of Saint Louis alone, a 31% increase since July of 2021 and a threshold the City had not previously crossed. 

Everyday HomeScreen works to recruit landlords to join ARCH to meet this high demand. We have worked on raising awareness of our program, the scope of the affordable housing crisis, and the benefits of working with our nonprofit partners. Through that ongoing effort, we currently partner with 243 individual landlords with properties in Saint Louis City, Saint Louis County, the Metro East, Jefferson County, and St. Charles County, but are constantly looking for more. 

We have received funding from the Affordable Housing Trust Fund to recruit more landlords to join us, by researching and creating additional resources for the landlords participating in the ARCH program. HomeScreen staff participate in the national initiative Built for Zero, the City and the County Continuum of Care (CoCs), the St. Louis Metro Housing Collective. Through these outreach efforts and by collecting feedback from our existing users, we have a few additional services coming to ARCH this year, including a video series for tenant best practices and signed agreements between landlords and nonprofit partners to help resolve issues during the renters’ tenancy. We continue to work towards funding financial incentives for landlords who participate in ARCH, as well as for tenants who complete their tenancies without owing any money for damages or unpaid rent. We are eager to see this program continue to grow and make a real impact for the next 100 people we serve! 

If you have a property you would like to list on the ARCH platform, 

please contact Ella Gross at ella@towergrovecdc.org

Tower Grove CDC is collecting feedback and stories from residents like you to inform the MO Public Service Commission (MO PSC) of the importance of energy efficiency programs to reduce utility bills, improve comfort and safety, and improve health. To learn more about Ameren’s current energy efficiency programs, see here. More information on Ameren’s proposed energy efficiency programs is included in the survey below.

Please complete the form linked below so we can share your ideas and stories with the PSC to request their approval of Ameren’s proposed energy efficiency program.

The MO PSC is the state regulatory agency that provides oversight for Ameren and other Missouri utilities. As required by the Missouri Energy Efficiency Investment Act (MEEIA), utilities like Ameren are required to submit a proposal and get approval for their energy efficiency programs. Whenever a utility submits an energy efficiency portfolio (a group of energy efficiency programs), the MO PSC has a process to hear comments and testimony from interested groups and the public.

The PSC requires the full name, address, email, and phone number of residents in order for feedback to be included as testimony. We will not share your personal information with anyone else but will submit your input to the PSC’s website.

By completing this form you are helping to advocate for energy efficiency programs in our region! 

Thank you!

Please complete this form by April 30, 2024. https://forms.gle/V1Xk2BDBkLKFJ2a49

April 9, 2024, St. Louis, Missouri – More older adults will have access to affordable housing and services in the heart of South St. Louis City, thanks to a collaborative effort between Lutheran Senior Services (LSS), Tower Grove Community Development Corporation (TGCDC), and several partner organizations. The group broke ground yesterday on Crossroads Senior Living, a new mixed-income senior housing community in the Bevo Mill neighborhood.

The $21 million dollar project will create 64 affordable and market-rate apartments for older adults and will enable residents who have spent their lives in Bevo Mill to stay in Bevo Mill. It also serves to address the City of St. Louis’ goal of increasing availability of affordable housing and reducing cost burdens for residents. Estimated completion of construction on Crossroads is late summer 2025, and LSS will manage the community.

"Building Crossroads at this pivotal intersection demonstrates the neighborhood's strength and progress, which will attract more capital and energize revitalization," said Sean Spencer, TGCDC Executive Director. "Our partnership with LSS is the future for making affordable housing available and will continue to grow to meet the great needs of our community."

This community endeavor involves multiple organizations coming together to combine efforts and further the project's impact, helping to turn “what could be” into “reality”. Funding for Crossroads came from local and state government sources, including the Missouri Housing Development Commission (MHDC), the St. Louis Equity Fund, and a multi-million dollar award from the Federal Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Midwest BankCentre donated the nearly 2-acre property.

Other organizations involved in the project include The Community Development Administration of St. Louis (CDA), Gateway, EM Harris Construction, the City of St. Louis Affordable Housing Commission, Rosemann & Associates, Inc., Bevo Community Improvement District, Spellman Brady & Company, and the St. Louis Development Corporation (SLDC).

"It’s the people who make this project impactful," said LSS President and CEO Adam Marles. "Our mission at LSS is older adults living life to the fullest. It’s my promise that when we gather again for the grand opening right here and in the years that follow, LSS will be invested in each life at Crossroads to bring opportunities to age well with purpose and fulfillment."

To view photos from the event, visit https://lsslife.org/CrossroadsGroundbreaking About Lutheran Senior Services Lutheran Senior Services (LSS) is a mission-driven, nonprofit network that specializes in housing, care, and supportive services for older adults 62+. With 18 locations in Missouri and Illinois, LSS serves more than 13,000 seniors a year through options that include Senior Living Communities offering all levels of living, Affordable Housing for those with limited incomes, and Home & Community Based Services. LSS builds upon more than 160 years of excellence in living out its Christian mission of Older Adults Living Life to the Fullest. About Tower Grove Community Development Corporation (TGCDC) The Tower Grove Neighborhoods Community Development Corporation (TGCDC) is a consolidation of Grand Oak Hill Community Corporation, Southwest Garden Housing Corporation and Shaw Neighborhood Housing Corporation. The three organizations have served the community for more than 40 years. As a combined entity, TGCDC continues the tradition and supports the area’s growth as a real estate-related community development corporation by promoting responsible development, Tenant Screening, Housing placement, affordable housing development, and diverse character and vibrancy in Saint Louis City and beyond. Through local development and community progress expertise, TGCDC serves as a resource to neighborhood residents, buyers/renters, developers, real estate agents and business owners.

Please download and enjoy our 2023 Annual Report here

Thanks to the over 135 people who attended our Sustaining Housing Dreams fundraiser on October 26th!  A huge THANKS to Midwest Bank Centre and Draper-Kramer for their Presenting Sponsorships. 

$96,245 was raised to help with property acquisition along the South Grand Corridor, South of Utah Street.  We're excited to start making investments to remove blight and to build affordable housing on one of the most frequently used mass transit routes in the region.  Congrats to former 14th ward alderwomen, Carol Howard who received a resolution on behalf of St. Louis City from Ald. Schweitzer, Congrats to Joe Ambrose, from First Bank, for his TGCDC Community Impact Award and Congrats to Better Bevo Now Neighborhood Association President, David Tallent, for his TGCDC Community Service award.  Thanks to the owners and staff @dasbevo for hosting!   In addition to the fundraising, the event was an incredible night of food, drinks, recognition and connecting. 

Tower Grove Community Development Corporation (TGCDC) has completed the conversion of a two-townhouse dilapidated nuisance property into four new renovated affordable homes! The building located at 3804 Gravois became a target for TGCDC several years ago. As the owner and developer of 3800 Gravois (https://www.towergrovecdc.org/news/2019/7/8/tgncdc-makes-a-splash-at-3800-gravois-with-mixed-use-development), the adjoining four families are the front door to the southern part of Tower Grove South neighborhood. We know the importance of properly maintained and visually pleasing properties to help attract more investment. As you can see from the photos, the new tenants in the building will enjoy a fully updated and spacious home with professional in-house property management and maintenance. Rents will range from $775 per month for 1,000 sq. ft. 1-bedroom units.

3644 Bamberger Ave.

For over 60 years, the Norath family occupied both floors of the well-kept two family building located at 3644 Bamberger Avenue in Tower Grove South. As we sat around the the dining room table, the Norath family remembered when The House of The Good Shepard was demolished at the top of the street back in the early 1970s. Read more about this fascinating building at https://theclio.com/entry/149142. The site is now an Aldi grocery store and shopping center. A close family, the matriarch, Ann Marie Norath, recently passed away and the family had the difficult decision about what to do with the beloved home. Over the years, the 3600-3700 Bamberger Avenue has had challenges. In 2014, TGCDC set out to stabilize the area as a result of our research for the TGCDC framework and vision plan Download Here. Calls for service decreased from 397 in 2014 to 115 in 2019. This equates to a 71% drop in calls for service over a five-year period. The Norath family recognized the positive changes TGCDC brought to their block and offered the property to us. TGCDC completed the purchase in August 2023 and we will add the two spacious units to our affordable housing portfolio (60% of AMI or lower).

The most attractive part of the building is the untouched and beautiful interior woodwork! In addition, we’ve painted the units, added a new furnace, condenser, and water heater, replaced the electric panel to the second floor, replaced the sewer inside and out, demolished the structurally compromised garage, and added new sidewalks. The Norath family also refurbished the swing set for future families who may occupy the units. More improvements are forthcoming as we get the units ready to lease in October.

Thanks to the Norath family for presenting the opportunity to continue the maintenance and functionality of the home.  Thanks to @PNC bank for the grant to help with the additional and unplanned expenses. TGCDC has spent around $35,000 to date.

TGCDC now owns and operates 44 affordable rental units in 14 buildings, south of Gravois in Tower Grove South. The average rent is around $525 for a one-bedroom apartment. TGCDC takes pride in professionally managing and maintaining homes in safe and attractive neighborhoods. One home and one block at a time.

Tower Grove Community Development Corporation is thrilled to announce the creation of a small office coworking space on the second floor of our headquarters located at 2337 S Kingshighway, Saint Louis, Mo 63110. The recent departure of our former tenant, Prosperity Connection, to a larger space downtown opened the opportunity to reimagine the existing 2500 sq. ft. Currently about 40% of the space is leased and TGCDC is offering the remaining space for $1500 a month or $800 per office. The coworking space offers a kitchen, lobby, 2 bathrooms, and easy access from all highways and South City neighborhoods. TGCDC hopes to find small businesses and not for profits looking to grow, share ideas and build community without a major investment. The coworking space rent includes internet, all utilities, property taxes, and onsite management. For inquiries, please contact Jay Rios at 314 486 0231 or Jay@KRASTL.com.

Tower Grove Community Development Corporation looks forward to hosting it’s annual fundraiser, Sustaining Housing Dreams on October 26, 2023 from 5:30PM to 8PM at Das Bevo in the Bevo Mill neighborhood. Thanks to Midwest Bank Centre for their Presenting Sponsorship!

The fundraiser is free ot attend with registration- https://www.eventbrite.com/e/sustaining-housing-dreams-fundraiser-tickets-676097835827

Come out and join us as we raise money to help acquire vacant and abandoned properties along the South Grand Blvd Corridor, South of Gravois Rd. TGCDC, from it’s 2022-2026 business plan, identified this part of South Grand Blvd as a concentrated geography for future investments. This approach worked extremely well for the 3600-2700 blocks of Bamberger Ave and Hydraulic Ave where TGCDC owns and manages about 50 units of affordable housing and has reclaimed and renovated about a dozen vacant properties.

At the event, we will celebrate David Tallent for his Communuity Service through the Better Bevo Now Neighborhood Association , Carol Howard for her civil service as Alderwoman of the former 14th Ward, and Joe Ambrose, First Bank, for his Community Impact through banking. The short awards ceremony starts at 6:30PM.

Sponsorships are available as presented below:

Level 1 Presenting Sponsor- Midwest Bank Centre

Level 2 Dream Builder Sponsor $10,000

Level 3 Excellence Award Sponsor- $5000

Level 4 Supporting Sponsor $2500

Level 5 Brick By Brick Sponsor $1000

Level 6 Event Sponsor $500

Please contact Sean Spencer for sponsorship opportunities at Sean@towergroveCDC.org

All Levels receive: *Logo/Name identified as a Sponsor on TGCDC website *Logo/Name on Poster prominently displayed in the venue *Logo/Name mentions on TGCDC Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter feeds

Sponsorhips and general donations are accepted at https://www.paypal.com/donate/?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=N3WXDGPBH8QJN&source=url&ssrt=1691434852654

We recognize that businesses are a critical part of our communities. When businesses in Tower Grove South/South Grand expressed concern about public safety issues affecting their operations and safety of their patrons and employees a meeting was set to address these issues..

On July 17th over 50 area business representatives came together to meet with our new 6th Ward Alderwoman, Daniela Velázquez, our TGS Neighborhood Improvement Specialist, Christian Saller, representatives from Tower Grove Community Development Corporation, St Louis Metropolitan Police representatives and other vested partners to start a discussion on how these public safety issues are impacting local businesses and how, working together, we can create change.  We hope to facilitate more meetings with local businesses over the following year as they lend a perspective vital to continued growth and safety of our neighborhoods.

“If not us, who?” This is a question we frequently ask ourselves when looking at potential redevelopment opportunities. One goal is to strengthen markets to a point when outside developers are incentivized to make investments in renovating properties. However, in some cases and in already strong markets, we take on long vacant properties with complicated pasts and uncertain futures. We understand what it means to live next to or on a block with a blighted property where grass is tall, break-ins are common, and the nuisance is real. 4063 Potomac Ave sat vacant and boarded up on a quiet Tower Grove South neighborhood street for over a decade. The home went to tax sale multiple times, each time the buyer walked away from the property due to a tangled web of title issues due to a bankruptcy and unengaged mortgage holder. TGCDC identified the problem property and contacted Legal Services of Eastern Mo (LSEM). We filed a lawsuit in City court and obtained the right to make improvements to the property to address years of building code violations. Once we completed the exterior repairs, and additional court proceedings were held, TGCDC was given title to the property to complete the full renovation. The property was recently finished and sold to new homeowners. Without TGCDC’s intervention and our partnership with LSEM, 4063 Potomac would continue as a neighborhood nuisance and eventually lost. Now we have a tax generating, renovated home and new stakeholders in our community.

3629 Hydraulic Before

3629 Hydraulic After

3629 Hydraulic was a long vacant / nuisance property with an out of state owner in Tower Grove South.  TGCDC’s goal was to purchase the property and restore it to affordable rate housing.  The property was horribly damaged due to time, weather, and squatters over the years.  TGCDC cleaned out and demoed the interior, masonry was completed to rebuild failing walls, a new roof was installed, new sewer and water lines were completed, new electric and plumbing services were added, and new HVAC services were installed.  All of this work left us with basically a brand new building in which we created 2 beautiful, 2 bedroom rental apartments. 

During construction a new partnership was created with a local not for profit organization, Opportunity House. Opportunity House uses a community based approach towards supporting unhoused young adults by providing housing, creating stability, encouraging growth, and building community.  We are proud to be partnering with Opportunity House by transforming 3629 Hydraulic into their first housing site.  3629 Hydraulic will become home to 4 unhoused young adults who identify under the LGBTQIA+ umbrella.Opportunity House will provide counseling, life skills training, and financial support to these young adults to create stability and opportunities for education and employment.

An open house was held on May 13th to show off the building to Opportunity House staff, board members and donors.  The projected move in date for the young adults is June 1st, 2023.  For more information on Opportunity Housing , please visit their website: https://opportunityhousestl.org/lgbtqia-youth-housing/

3629 Hydraulic Before

3629 Hydraulic After Opportunity House Open House

3629 Hydraulic After

3629 Hydraulic After

3629 Hydraulic After

Opportunity House Services

The State of Missiouri created the State Assistance for Housing Relief (SAFHR ) to help renters throughout the state stay housed during the Covid-19 pandemic. Over the past 2+ years, they have:

- Distributed nearly $600 million in emergency rental assistance

- Provided funding for 130,000 individual applications

- Prevented 75,000 evictions

Tower Grove Community Development Corporation manages 84 affordable housing units with rents between 30% to 60% of Area Median Income. Many of TGCDC’s tenants work in the service industry and were some of the hardest hit by small business shutdowns. TGCDC’s Asset Manager, Kristan Nickels, led a proactive approach to work with our tenants to ensure they remained in their homes during the pandemic. Over the past 2+ years, Tower Grove CDC has:

-Filed 52 applications to SAFHR on behalf of our tenants

-Was awarded $126,248.00 in rental assistance for our tenants

-Prevented 52 evictions.

With SAFHR rental assistance tenants were not displaced during a worldwide pandemic and were able to afford daily necessities such as food, utilities, and transportation. They were given the safety net needed to find new careers/employment to better their lives. We are grateful for the opportunity to help support our tenants. Below are a few stories from our tenants on how SAFHR funding helped them:

4040a DeTonty- “TB”

Having been in the hospitality industry most of my career, I found that a majority of my professional skills didn’t translate to zoom calls when the pandemic hit. It’s hard to pour a glass of wine for someone when you’re not in the same room. I found myself going through my savings and credit cards. I did receive assistance through unemployment, stimulus, and SNAP, but as the months turned into a year and a half, those benefits started drying up pretty quickly. I needed help paying my rent. I was starting to get some work lined up, but it would be months, if not years before I would get back to where I was pre-pandemic. Tower Grove Community Development Corporation really went to bat to help their tenants apply for and navigate the SAFHR program, gather needed documents, and submit an application. Without the help of SAFHR, I would have been forced to leave my home for almost five years. It was crucial in helping me get back on my feet and relieving the pressure that a lot of us found ourselves under during that time. This program is crucial for middle-American and lower-income families in a disaster such as a worldwide pandemic. I got lucky- I met the criteria and had my property manager in my corner. Not all were so fortunate. These programs need to be accessible to the American public who need them most.

4020 A DeTonty- “TJ”

My back is against the wall because everything is coming at me at once. It’s no secret the COVID-19 pandemic came in and life as we knew it was forever changed. To be honest, before the pandemic I lived paycheck to paycheck like most single mothers. When my daughter’s school went from in-person to online what little money I had to make ends meet no longer was enough. Money for utilities and rent had to be spent on groceries. None of the food pantries were open after 5 PM. I needed to feed my child while she is at home all day when previously she received 2 meals at school. Prior to the pandemic, we didn’t have Wi-Fi .The hot spot her school provided rarely worked so Spectrum was a new bill I had to be paid to continue her education. I am an essential worker who didn’t have the option to work from home. As a result, I had to purchase a cellphone for my daughter so she could reach me while I was at work and hire caregivers to ensure she was safe. Not to mention the stress on the job coupled with some health issues resulted in an increase in medical bills and new prescribed medication. Needless to say, I was overwhelmed financially. Basically, I had to choose between food/utilities or my rent. I was homeless for a short time in my youth and I made a promise to myself never to allow that to happen to me or my children again. I was reluctant to apply for SAFHR rental assistance because I am always getting denied for things because of my income. If I brought home what I made before taxes life would be great. The net pay is not enough to meet every need. My landlord kept sending emails with rental assistance resources. I was so far behind in my rent I just knew she was going to evict me. I get emotional thinking about her kindness and her willingness to assist me through the rental assistance process. Not only did I receive 3 months’ rent I also got help with my utility bills. Oh, what a relief it was to get my rent caught up. As a result, I was able to focus on my health issues. The worry of being without utilities and housing was lifted. I was also able to get my car payments current and most important we had money for food.

3612 Bamberger - “MD”

As a single female living away from my family, when I contracted Covid and ended up in the hospital for 2 weeks, I thought I was going to lose everything. Tower Grove CDC was able to coordinate with other tenants in my building to make sure my puppy was fed, walked, and taken care of while I was hospitalized. Luckily one of the tenants worked for an animal rescue organization and was able to continue helping with my pup after I returned home until I regained my strength. When I returned home the other tenants dropped off meals, offered to pick up my medication, they even took out my trash! Kristan submitted an application to SAFHR for me and I received 5 months of rental assistance while I recovered. I honestly do not know what I would have done without Tower Grove CDC, Kristan, and my amazing neighbors.

While funds for the SAFHR program are now exhausted, TGCDC remains committed to helping and working with our tenants to stay housed.

December 15, 2022, St. Louis, Missouri – Tower Grove Community Development Corporation (TGCDC) and Lutheran Senior Services (LSS) have been awarded the final tax credit funding needed to proceed with a new mixed-income senior housing development in the heart of South St. Louis City.

“This project has potential to energize revitalization, capture market support and build buying power in the neighborhood,” said Sean Spencer, TGCDC Executive Director. “As older local residents gain the option of an apartment with support services provided by LSS, the homes they will be selling will attract younger singles and families due to the area’s tremendous stock for first-time buyers.

Funding for this project, known as Crossroads Senior Living at Bevo Mill, will come from local and state government sources as well a multi-million dollar award from the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development. The project will create 64 affordable and market-rate apartments for older adults and will employ four full-time staff members.

“While this project has been in the works for several years, we are pleased to announce that it will be moving forward as it ties directly to our strategic plan and LSS’ commitment to serving more seniors in both economic and demographic diversity,” according to Adam Marles, LSS President and CEO. “As we continue to grow our opportunity to serve seniors, LSS is fulfilling our mission of helping more older adults’ live life to the fullest.”

The site for the new building, in the Bevo Mill Neighborhood, was made available through a donation from Midwest BankCentre. Once completed, LSS will manage the property. Early estimates are that the new building will be completed in approximately thirty months.

“Midwest BankCentre is pleased to join with the Tower Grove Community Development Corp and Lutheran Senior Services to energize revitalization of an anchor neighborhood within south St. Louis,” said Orvin T. Kimbrough, chairman and CEO of the bank. “We believe local banks can have a multigenerational impact through strong community partnerships in the fashion we have forged for this worthwhile development.”

The Tower Grove Neighborhoods Community Development Corporation (TGCDC) is a consolidation of Grand Oak Hill Community Corporation, Southwest Garden Housing Corporation and Shaw Neighborhood Housing Corporation. The three organizations have served the community for more than 40 years. As a combined entity, TGCDC continues the tradition and supports the area’s growth as a real estate-related community development corporation by promoting responsible development, Tenant Screening, Housing placement, affordable housing development, and diverse character and vibrancy in Saint Louis City and beyond. Through local development and community progress expertise, TGCDC serves as a resource to neighborhood residents, buyers/renters, developers, real estate agents and business owners.

Lutheran Senior Services (LSS) is a mission-driven, not-for-profit network that specializes in housing, care, and supportive services for older adults 62+. With 18 locations in Missouri and Illinois, LSS serves more than 13,000 seniors a year through options that include Senior Living Communities offering all levels of living, Affordable Housing for those with limited incomes, and Home & Community Based Services. LSS builds upon more than 160 years of excellence in living out its Christian mission of Older Adults Living Life to the Fullest.

Tower Grove CDC will host the "Sustaining Housing Dreams" fundraiser on November 1, 2022 at Baileys’ Range at 4175 Shaw Ave. in the Shaw neighborhood. Thanks to PNC Bank for being our Presenting Sponsor. Tickets will not be distributed but registration https://tinyurl.com/3ny9hh3d is required. Suggested donation is $25-$100. Donate at https://tinyurl.com/3ah2va35 The best parking is available on the 4100 block of Shaw, 4000-4100 blocks of De Tonty St. and 1800-1900 Blocks of Klemm St. Wine, beer (thanks Civil Life) and hors d'oeuvres will be provided. All proceeds will go to the renovations of 3623 Hydraulic Ave., two family affordable rental project. There will be a short awards presentation at 6:30PM to celebrate Dave and Kara Bailey for their investment in Baileys’ Range in Shaw and to honor Legal Services of Eastern MO for their work on Nuisance and Abandonment lawsuits to hold vacant property owners accountable.

Check out our latest development projects at https://www.towergrovecdc.org/news/2022/9/19/tower-grove-community-development-corporation-real-estate-development-update