In a concerted effort to aid tornado recovery in St. Louis, the City’s Recovery Office, alongside the Community Development Administration (CDA), has made significant strides with the Tornado Recovery Vacant Unit Turns Program. Utilizing funds from the Rams Settlement, this initiative concentrates on reviving vacant rental units to provide shelter for those upended by the devastating May 16 tornado. Recent updates revealed active construction or repairs being carried out on 101 rental properties, a figure that underscores the dire housing needs spawned by the natural disaster.
Fiscally speaking, the Vacant Unit Turns Program is buoyed by $2.5 million from the Rams Settlement, targeting minor repairs and rehabilitation efforts to ensure quick and safe reinstatement of inoperative housing. A transparency in the distribution of funds is evident, as the total repair costs reached approximately $968,590, averaging $9,590 per housing unit. This work stretches across eight wards and several neighborhoods on both the north and south sides of the city, including but not limited to areas like Baden, Greater Ville, and Tower Grove East. The CDA has set affordability requirements for these units, looking to expediate housing for those most affected by the tornado’s upheaval.
Executive Director Matt Moak of CDA underscored the urgency and diligence embedded in the process. “We’re moving fast and doing the work carefully. CDA staff are conducting site visits, reviewing scopes of work, and making sure proposed budgets match real conditions on the ground so these units can come back online quickly and responsibly.” For those still navigating the post-tornado landscape, the STL Recovers Outreach Center offers a conduit to a suite of services and programs tailored to their needs. Located at 4401 Natural Bridge Ave., with phone support available at 833-925-0977, the center has extended its hours to better serve the community, from Monday to Saturday, Sundays remaining closed. Seniors and individuals with disabilities in need of assistance have been provided a dedicated contact at the St. Louis Area Agency on Aging, as noted by the city’s website…