While much of the metro area around St. Louis flourishes, the city flounders with high crime rates, poor schools and a lack of affordable housing. On any night, 1,500 people are homeless or almost homeless. To afford a two-bedroom apartment, you must earn $14.25 an hour, but the hourly salary for a nursing aide is $9.57, a food service worker is $6.27, and a receptionist $10.65. The adult unemployment rate in St. Louis in 2003 was 10 percent—well above the national rate of 6 percent.
We are grateful to the many partners that support our work in St. Louis.
Donate now through Network for Good or learn about other ways to become involved with Enterprise.
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See some of Enterprise's exciting work in St. Louis, and meet some of our many valued partners in this Gateway to the West. View the video.
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Enterprise St. Louis supports the development of affordable homes for low- and moderate-income families throughout the city. It also ensures an increase in housing production by community-based groups in the area by providing financial support and hands-on training. The Mark Twain Hotel renovation, a tax credit deal, is just one example of increasing decent affordable housing. Photo: Larry Rothrock |
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Enterprise has invested $41 million in St. Louis over the past seven years to help:
- Create 1,500 homes for low- and moderate-income families.
- Place 300 welfare recipients in permanent jobs.
- Train 2,000 housing and employment professionals to help residents find living-wage jobs and affordable housing.
- Create the St. Louis Regional Neighborhood Support Collaborative to bring critical resources to 15 community-based organizations.
In 1981, a small group of volunteers started Saint Joachim and Ann Care Service to assist families in need in St. Charles County. For the past 25 years, the organization has been a guardian for needy families in crisis—paying utility, medical and rent bills, maintaining a food pantry and repairing homes for the elderly, indigent or handicapped.
Volunteers provided all services until 2004 when Saint Joachim and Ann Care Service hired its first staff person using a $40,000 grant from Enterprise. The organization still depends primarily on volunteers—240 individuals contributed 91,000 hours in 2004. But the new paid staff helped them realize a dream of creating a “village” with 19 small apartments surrounding a community center for very low-income seniors in Warrenton, Mo. Five of the current residents were formerly homeless. Enterprise’s investment provided stability and credibility that helped them access the $2 million necessary to create housing for seniors in this rural community.
More Stories
St. Louis Profile (PDF, 220 KB, October 2007)
Enterprise Community Partners
611 Olive Street, Suite 1641
St. Louis, MO 63101
Phone 314.333.7011
Fax 314.333.7015
Pamela Coaxum
Local Office Director
Email Pam
Find us on Google Maps
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