The City of St. Louis is inviting its residents to play an integral role in shaping the city's future through the newly formed Community Advisory Committee (CAC), under the aegis of the Community Development Administration (CDA). This initiative seeks to involve locals directly in the decision-making processes concerning neighborhood transformation and the creation of affordable housing. The CAC is set to commence its work in February 2025, engaging in a series of monthly meetings through December of the same year.
As reported by the official City of St. Louis website, the CDA is currently seeking nine St. Louis residents that exhibit a range of experiences, hailing from diverse city neighborhoods, backgrounds, and professions to provide meaningful feedback and insights. These members will need to demonstrate not only a knowledge about, but also a passion for, the community – with no requirement to be seasoned government policy experts. To be eligible for consideration, applicants residing outside of the city limits must have lived in St. Louis for at least five years and maintain strong connections to the community.
The creation of the CAC aligns with CDA's commitment to drive economic justice and support neighborhood revitalization through community-driven, data-informed strategies. The CDA, established in 1974, serves as a key conduit for federal, state, and local funds aimed at tackling housing and community development challenges within St. Louis. Members of the Committee will have the opportunity to impact the city positively by reviewing and giving feedback on the city’s Consolidated Plan as well as HUD’s formula grant programs which include funding to improve living conditions for low to moderate income households, address slum and blight, and respond to urgent community needs.
Upcoming CAC meetings are scheduled bi-monthly on Tuesday evenings, with availability for both in-person attendance and virtual participation. The advisory group will also hold additional sessions as needed, particularly ahead of significant funding cycles such as the Neighborhood Transformation Grant Housing Production and Social Services CDBG Funding Cycle. The CAC's role will extend to reviewing Notices of Funding Availability (NOFA), thereby ensuring that the city’s allocation of approximately $25 million in annual formula funding is aligned with strategic goals laid out in the Consolidated Plan. This volunteering stint offers committee members a unique vantage point to influence sectors ranging from affordable housing development to social service provision that currently assists over 5,000 low to moderate-income St. Louis residents.
Residents interested in contributing to this significant undertaking are encouraged to submit their applications by February 14, 2025. Questions can be directed to Tom Nagel, Public Information Officer for CDA, as detailed on the city’s website.
