Tower Grove CDC

EverTrue Crossroads at Bevo Mill is OPEN! We were thrilled to celebrate our Grand Opening with community leaders and neighbors on April 30th. Thank you to everyone who joined us for this milestone moment. We can't wait to welcome residents home!

Thanks to State Representative Steve Butz for the Evertrue Crossroads at Bevo Mill Proclamation

On April 30, 2026, the ribbon was cut on EverTrue Crossroads at Bevo Mill — a four-story, 64-unit affordable senior housing community at 4900 Gravois Avenue in the heart of south St. Louis. The $22 million development is already changing lives. But this moment didn't arrive overnight. It is the result of nearly a decade of persistence, partnership, and community belief — much of it carried forward by the Tower Grove Community Development Corporation.

Long before a single brick was laid, the seeds of Crossroads were planted in 2017. Midwest BankCentre, under the early leadership of Dale Oberkfell and supported by Orv Kimbrough and Wes Burns, identified a real need: south St. Louis was growing older, and its seniors had few quality, affordable housing options close to the neighborhoods they had called home for decades. The bank's 1.9-acre Bevo branch property at 4900 Gravois Avenue — a visible corner across from the iconic Bevo Mill — was sitting underutilized. The question became: what could it become?

Tower Grove CDC saw the answer clearly. A ready, willing, and able community development organization, TGCDC stepped forward to carry the vision from concept to reality. Without a CDC with the capacity and commitment to lead, this project simply would not have happened.

Midwest Bank Centre Building- 4914 Gravois 2017 Photo Credit to Lee Drake

Empty Lot- 4914 Gravois 2020

Evertrue Crossroads at Bevo Mill 2026

Community development is rarely a straight line. Between 2017 and 2020, the project navigated funding applications, design processes, neighborhood engagement, and financing structures that required patience and persistence at every turn.

In November 2020, Midwest BankCentre formally donated the Bevo branch property — valued at $1.63 million — to Tower Grove CDC, a pivotal milestone that unlocked the project's path forward. But even after that landmark gift, the work was far from over. The funding picture evolved, the development team shifted, and the project had to be re-closed not once but twice — including a crucial second closing supported by the National Equity Fund.

Through all of it, TGCDC's volunteer board never wavered. Board members showed up because they believed in something bigger than themselves, and their belief is now four stories tall on Gravois Avenue.

A particular note of gratitude is owed to Janice Drake, who served as Board President for ten years. Her leadership, persistence, and steady hand carried the project through its toughest moments. As Sean Spencer, TGCDC Executive Director, said at the grand opening: "We would not be here without her."

Current Board President Jason Kempf and the full roster of past and present board members and staff share equally in this legacy.

TGCDC Board and Staff 2023

Great projects require great partners, and TGCDC helped assemble a team that brought both expertise and heart to Crossroads. EverTrue (Lutheran Senior Services' rebranded identity) became the co-developer and property manager, with Nikki Jennings serving as a key partner throughout the process. CEO Adam Marles and the EverTrue leadership team stepped in at a critical juncture and brought the mission-alignment this project needed.

EM Harris Construction led the build with precision and craftsmanship. Rosemann & Associates translated the vision into an award-worthy architectural design. Spellman Brady brought a warm, dignified interior design that residents are proud to call home.

And a special acknowledgment goes to Jerry Burka, whose positivity, perseverance, strategic thinking, and genuinely kind way of doing business set the tone for the entire project from start to finish.

Tower Grove CDC Executive Director Sean Spencer presents Jim Davis, EM Harris Superintendent, a historic photo of the Evertrue at Crossroads site in recognition of his work to build the project.

TGCDC's mission has always been inseparable from the neighborhoods it serves. For Crossroads, that meant going beyond the development itself to bring the Bevo Mill community along. Better Bevo Now, the Newport Heights Neighborhood Association, and the Bevo Community Improvement District were engaged and supportive partners. So were Alderwoman Howard, Alderwoman Schweitzer, and State Representative Butz, who actively invited investment into their ward — something that, as Spencer noted, "is not always the case."

That neighborhood-first approach also shaped the project's public financing stack. Partners including the Community Development Administration (CDA), the St. Louis Comptroller's Office, SLDC, the Affordable Housing Trust Fund, HUD, and MHDC all came together to make the numbers work. This is the kind of project that only happens through strong, sustained public partnership — and TGCDC spent years building and maintaining those relationships.

The finished building offers 64 apartments for adults 62 and older — a mix of affordable and market-rate units serving seniors across the economic spectrum. Residents have access to on-site supportive services through EverTrue, including programs designed to help older adults live independently and with dignity.

The project also creates a ripple effect across the Bevo Mill neighborhood. As Sean Spencer noted back in 2022 when the project was first announced: "As older local residents gain the option of an apartment with support services, the homes they will be selling will attract younger singles and families due to the area's tremendous stock for first-time buyers." That vision is now becoming reality.

Modern Kitchen and Living Room at EverTrue Crossroads at Bevo Mill. Safety and comfort, by design. Every bathroom at EverTrue Crossroads at Bevo Mill is fully accessible — thoughtfully built so residents can live independently with confidence and dignity. This is what quality affordable senior housing looks like.

Modern Bathroom at EverTrue Crossroads at Bevo Mill.

Cardroom at EverTrue Crossroads at Bevo Mill

Mailroom at EverTrue Crossroads at Bevo Mill

The main lobby at EverTrue Crossroads at Bevo Mill is where community begins — cozy seating, a warm fireplace, and thoughtfully designed gathering spaces make it a place residents love to be.

From a conversation in 2017 to a ribbon-cutting in 2026, EverTrue Crossroads at Bevo Mill is proof of what community development looks like at its best — slow, unglamorous, relationship-driven work that eventually produces something beautiful and lasting.

Tower Grove CDC is proud to have stood at the center of this effort. We are grateful to every partner, funder, neighbor, board member, and community leader who believed in it alongside us.

This building is your legacy, too.

View From Unit 411 at EverTrue Crossroads at Bevo Mill

Tower Grove Community Development Corporation serves the south St. Louis City neighborhoods of Southwest Garden, Shaw, Tower Grove South, and Bevo Mill, in addition to other St. Louis City neighborhoods. To learn more about our work, visit towergrovecdc.org.

It's been a journey — SINCE 2018!— but Morgan Ford Homes is moving forward, and we're closer than ever to breaking ground.

The Morgan Ford Homes development will bring four new 2-story single-family homes to 3506 Morgan Ford Road in St. Louis (63116), a vacant lot at the corner of Morgan Ford and Oleatha Avenue that formerly operated as a gas station. Each home will be approximately 1,600 square feet, featuring three bedrooms, an unfinished basement, a deck, and a dedicated parking pad — all designed with affordability in mind, with anticipated pricing in the $210,000 range.

The project is led by Tower Grove CDC in partnership with builder Rubicon Corporation.

We're pleased to share that several significant milestones have recently been reached:

Environmental Clearance Received. One of the primary causes of delay has been the environmental review required by one of our funding sources. The site's history as a former gas station required thorough documentation and review — including a tribal consultation period and a public comment process through HUD. That process involved a 30-day Authority to Use Grant Funds (AUGF) review period after the comment period closed. We are pleased to report that environmental clearance has now been secured.

Lots Successfully Subdivided and Building Permits are Approved. The property has been formally subdivided into four individual parcels, one for each planned home.

Estimates & Apportionments Approval Received. We received approval from the City's Board of Estimates and Apportionments last week — an important step in the public financing process.

Rebidding Underway. With some time having passed since the original project estimates, we are now rebidding the project to ensure costs are current and accurate. Following that, we will work toward a loan closing with CDA (the City of St. Louis Community Development Administration) and our banking partner, Midwest BankCentre.

Our best estimate: construction could begin within 12 weeks.

From the beginning, this project has been embraced by neighbors. A community meeting held on October 4, 2023, at Bootleggin Bob's drew area residents who offered enthusiastic feedback. Attendees and neighbors who couldn't make the meeting wrote in to express their support, citing the affordable price point, the people-focused approach, and the opportunity to put a long-vacant lot to productive use.

Some of what we heard:

"Generally very supportive. Glad to hear plans for 3-bed affordable housing." — Christine- Miami St

"I love the fact that the development will be affordable housing instead of market value." — Kim- Miami St.

"Project looks very good for the neighborhood." — Jeff Morgan Ford Rd.

"I support this development as is and am excited to see it!" — Olivia- Morgan Ford Rd.

"If it is the empty lot [at Oleatha and Morganford], then I 100% support this proposed development!!!" — Kellee - 4273 Miami

"The plans look fantastic and it's a perfect use for that land." — Mike , Miami St.

Neighbors also raised thoughtful questions about mortgage affordability at current interest rates, disclosure of the site's prior gas station use to buyers, and the timeline for future phases.

Once rebidding is complete and financing closes, Rubicon Corporation will begin site work and construction. We'll keep the community updated as we hit each milestone.

If you have questions or want to stay in the loop, feel free to reach out:

Tower Grove Community Development Corporation
2337 S. Kingshighway Blvd., St. Louis, MO 63110
📞 314-944-1940
🌐 www.towergrovecdc.org

First-time homebuyer assistance may be available through the Housing Partnership. Contact us for more information.

From Atlanta’s Beltline to St. Louis neighborhoods, the lesson is clear: bold vision only works when it’s matched with real investment. This post breaks down what that actually means—and what’s at stake if we don’t. Download it here.

Revitalizing neighborhoods isn’t just about buildings—it’s about belief.

At Tower Grove CDC (TGCDC), one of our most important roles is being a consistent, credible voice that champions neighborhoods others may overlook. We help tell the story of what’s possible—highlighting the assets, Incentives, loan programs, the architecture, the location, and most importantly, the people who are willing to invest their time, capital, and energy.

That kind of “cheerleading” matters more than it might seem. Investors—especially local, mission-driven ones—don’t just need deals. They need confidence. They need to know they’re not alone. They need to feel like there’s a team around them helping navigate risk, solve problems, and stay the course when things get tough.

That’s where TGCDC steps in.

We connect investors to resources, share practical tools, and offer real-time guidance based on experience in the field. Whether it’s advising on property management systems, navigating problem properties, or facilitating introductions to partners and public officials, we help reduce friction so progress can continue.

Just as importantly, we stay engaged.

Neighborhood revitalization is not a one-time transaction—it’s a long-term commitment. Markets shift. Challenges arise. But when investors feel supported, they’re far more likely to stick with it, reinvest, and grow their impact.

And when they succeed, the neighborhood succeeds.

“TGCDC didn’t just give me advice—they gave me the confidence to stay in the game. When things got tough, they helped me see the bigger picture, stay focused, and keep moving forward. That kind of support is what turns individual investments into real neighborhood momentum,” Dutchtown Developer/Investor Chad Hammons

From vacant to vibrant doesn’t happen overnight. It happens because people stay focused on the long term appreciation—and because organizations like TGCDC make sure they don’t have to do it alone.

This is a photo from a developer’s tour in 2018.

DID YOU KNOW? Garcia Properties Leader, Berto Garcia, did his first Historic Preservation Tax Credit Project, with his brother Ivan, in the Shaw neighborhood based on a suggestion/advice from TGCDC? Their business has grown because of their use the Historic Preservation Tax Credits.

We’re pleased to share Tower Grove CDC’s 2025 Annual Report, highlighting the progress, partnerships, and investments that advanced housing stability and community opportunity this year.

​Most people know the unfortunate story of 3619 Humphrey.

The property had been vacant since 1996. The previous owner was a hoarder and an absentee neighbor who refused to maintain the home, leading to extensive deterioration. The Tower Grove Community Development Corporation (TGCDC), with assistance from Legal Services of Eastern Missouri, successfully sued the owner ​t​o initiate stabilization work. A special thanks to City Building Inspector, Eric Fogleman, for his persistent work to flag violations which helped in the lawsuit.

Water damage and the weight of stored debris caused the two rear floors to collapse. After contacting multiple contractors and after he initially declined the offer to bid, Rich Wurm at CREW Construction agreed to stabilize the difficult project. After approximately 9 months of construction, we completed the following structural work:

​- Extensive Clean Out (18 dumpsters!!!)

- Reconstruction of the rear 20 feet on two floors.

- Rebuilding the roof structure and installation of a new TPO roof by Meyers Roofing.

- Completion of necessary masonry work.

The property is now structurally sound and ready for full rehabilitation. It has been sold to City Restoration & Revival, LLC to complete the redevelopment.

Tower Grove CDC takes immense pride in addressing the most challenging vacant and nuisance property situations in St. Louis City.

Specifically, "But For" Tower Grove CDC and Legal Services of Eastern Missouri, this property would have continued to deplete valuable City government resources, decrease property values for adjacent neighbors, and reduce the quality of life for residents.

Tower Grove CDC’s Sustaining Housing Dreams Fundraiser was a sold-out success, bringing together over 160 guests at Das Bevo for an inspiring evening celebrating community leadership and neighborhood revitalization. Thanks to the tremendous generosity of our supporters, we raised over $70,000 to sustain our mission of creating affordable housing and strengthening St. Louis neighborhoods.

A heartfelt thank-you to our Presenting Sponsor, Mangrove, and to all of our generous partners and contributors, including at the top levels:
Dream Builder Sponsor: First Bank

Excellence Award Sponsors: EM HARRIS Pat & Jane Tracy Fund, Midwest Bank Center, and St. Louis Community Credit Union

Supporting Sponsors: Great Southern Bank, Peoples National Bank, American Electric and Data, US Bank, PNC Bank, and Commerce Bank

Congratulations to our 2025 Award Recipients:

• Community Partner Award – Dave Krapf, St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department

• Community Service Award – Loretta Hiner, Affordable Housing Trust Fund

• Community Impact Award – Greater St. Louis, Inc. – Tower Grove Connector

• Career Capstone Award – Jim Farrell, Historic Revitalization for Missouri

We’re deeply grateful to our host Debbie Monterrey, our Board President Jason Kempf, and the entire TGCDC Board and Staff for making the evening unforgettable.

📸 View photos from the event: https://www.takemoorepics.com/Customer-Galleries/Events-Gallery/Tower-Grove-CDC-Awards-2025
Password to download images: homes

As part of our five-year business plan, Tower Grove CDC annually releases the Shaw, Southwest Garden, and Tower Grove South Community Resource Guide in partnership with STL Programs.

While Tower Grove CDC maintains a narrow focus on real estate-related activities, we also actively promote other non-profit organizations and neighborhood groups that contribute to our community. Our collaborative efforts are helping to create one of the best areas in South St. Louis City.

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/k6o8uj4r8cl3yrnjde0h5/Shaw_SWG_TGS_Directory_2025-26_FINAL.pdf?rlkey=fasfvvs1ttesfb62tgimv8o4r&e=1&st=x5stub22&dl=0

Cover Photo Credit: Caitlin Sterman

Register and buy sponsorships for the event at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/sustaining-housing-dreams-fundraiser-tickets-1294902360819

It is with deep sadness that we share the news of the passing of Don Burrus, a founding board member of the St. Margaret of Scotland Housing Corporation (established in 1981), which preceded Tower Grove CDC. He was a 30 year board member and helped our organization leadership greatly.  He always encouraged us and told us to "Keep Hustling.”

Don was instrumental in the early efforts to encourage banks to finance rehabilitation projects in the Shaw neighborhood and hold absentee owners accountable.  A dedicated neighborhood leader and a mentor to countless young people in our community for decades, he will be greatly missed.

We also want to extend ​our sincere gratitude to all the volunteers of not for profit organizations who consistently prioritize our mission with their time and expertise.​ 

​Read more here. https://kutisfuneralhomes.com/burrus-donald-e/

Tower Grove CDC hosted a free Landlord & Rehabber Training on Real Estate Investing 101, Wednesday, April 23, 11:30am to 1pm, a Brown Bag event at the MO Botanical Garden’s Commerce Bank Science Education Center.  

Realtor and Landlord Tina Siebert, of Circa Properties, shared her insights and experience in Residential Real Estate investing.  Tina provided the groundwork for those new to the venture and tips for seasoned investors; such as determining a target location, establishing a team, securing funds & creating a budget, short term & long term plans, all aspects of closing a deal, reviewing a property for immediate or long term improvements, inspections, zoning, insurance, surveys, and so much more!  Ella Gross, HomeScreen Manager, reviewed the tenant screening process and an overview of ARCH (At-risk Renters Connection to Housing), stressing the importance of screening tenants on the front end to reduce headaches long term.

2025 Landlord & Rehabber Training schedule

4/23 Real Estate Investing 101

5/28 Financing a Real Estate Investment project

6/25 Buying Property from Tax Sales and STL City’s Land Bank - LRA

7/23 Historic Preservation and Neighborhood Preservation Tax Credit Programs

8/27 Conflict Resolution Strategies for Landlords

9/24 Real Property Insurance, Coinsurance, & Risk Tolerance

The 2025 training sessions will take place at MO Botanical Garden’s Commerce Bank Science Education Center, 11:30 - 1pm, bring your lunch.  Advance registration is required as space is limited.

On April 1, 2025, Tower Grove CDC closed on a construction loan with @midwestbankcentre and True Title STL for the redevelopment of the long vacant property located at 3772 Chippewa. This project is partially funded by FHLB Des Moines and generous grants from @PNCBANK and @USBANK. The redevelopment opportunity arose from an abandonment lawsuit initiated by @legal_services_of_eastern_mo in collaboration with @dutchtownstlouis. The housing will be provided to clients of International Institute @iistl and professionally managed by TGCDC. Here we go!

Thanks to our board of directors, our staff and our community partners for supporting our work.

Please enjoy our TGCDC 2024 Annual Report by downloading it HERE

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