Mayor Tishaura O. Jones Announces Goal to Develop 5,000 Affordable Housing Units by 2030

Today, at the 2024 Mayor's Celebration of Businesses Luncheon, Mayor Tishaura O. Jones announced her administration's ambitious goal to develop 5,000 affordable housing units and support the development of 5,000 market-rate housing units in the City of St. Louis over the next five years.

"Home is where you raise your family, create memories, and build wealth," said Mayor Tishaura O. Jones. "The ability to acquire and hold affordable housing is crucial to economic justice, and the lack of affordable housing in our City is the root of so many of our problems. If we want St. Louis to prosper and grow, we must create a thriving community where every resident has access to the opportunities they deserve."

With the support of the ARPA funds, St. Louis City has already made significant progress toward this goal by supporting approximately 3,000 affordable housing units and facilitating the repair of 572 units in just two years. This initial investment underscores the Jones administration's commitment to addressing the housing crisis head-on and enhancing the quality of life for St. Louis City residents.

To achieve these ambitious goals, Mayor Jones is inviting regional and local stakeholders - including businesses, community organizations, and residents - to actively participate in this vital work. The City has already deployed an interdepartmental working group to coordinate these efforts and leverage federal, state, and local resources. At the luncheon, the Mayor encouraged private investors and philanthropic organizations to invest in this goal through innovative housing solutions, grassroots efforts, and financial contributions.

Further context:

• The HomeSTL program is providing $50,000 in home buying assistance for St. Louisans buying their first house in the city. This is an ARPA-funded program.
• The Community Development Administration (CDA) announced $17,531,048 in Neighborhood Transformation Grant awards for Affordable Housing Production. This is on top of $3.7m in Neighborhood Transformation Grants announced earlier this year, part of which will also go toward affordable housing.
• Earlier this year, the City of St. Louis announced that the St. Louis Affordable Housing Commission had tripled its annual awards with nearly $16 Million for housing construction and support services. These are just a few examples.