St. Louis residents facing financial hardships due to the COVID-19 pandemic have a new resource to tap into come Tuesday, as the city rolls out its Emergency Rental Assistance Program. Detailed in a statement by the Mayor's office, the program is aimed at preventing evictions by offering a one-time payment for those behind on their rent. Mayor Tishaura O. Jones emphasized the importance of the initiative, "Keeping people in their homes is vital for our community," she said on the City of St. Louis website, "For many families, getting evicted will only make a bad situation worse, and it can become impossible to recover from, ultimately hurting that individual, that family, and our community."
Adam Pearson, the director of the Department of Human Services, described the program as a significant step to support the residents who bore the brunt of the pandemic's economic fallout, "The launch of the St. Louis Emergency Rental Assistance Program marks a significant step forward in supporting our St. Louis residents who have been hardest hit by the financial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic," indicating the city's dedication to stability and recovery for those in need. The City of St. Louis has earmarked $3.3 million for the cause, sourced from federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act funds.
The program serves people with incomes at or below 80% of the Area Median Income (AMI), with a priority for households at 50% or less; it's operated in partnership with FORWARD, who handles outreach and application support. CDA Executive Director Nahuel Fefer stressed the importance of the housing initiative, "More than 35,000 city households pay over 30% of their income on rent, leaving little room for essentials like food, childcare and transportation. Nearly 5,000 city households are evicted each year," he reported on the City of St. Louis website, underscoring the depth of the housing crisis in St. Louis.
Residents can apply through FORWARD's online portal, which offers 68 languages, to accommodate St. Louis's diverse population; assistance is also accessible via phone, text, and email in multiple languages. Applicants must meet income requirements and provide proof of residency, identification, along with documents like past-due rent or eviction notices. As funds are given out on a first-come, first-served basis, early application is advised, ensuring that help reaches as many as possible and in a move to assert housing as a human right, this program aims to give some respite to those under the heavy press of economic inequity.
