St. Louis city leaders are seeking help from the community after a new Winter Shelter Fund was announced Thursday.
St. Louis Mayor Cara Spencer said she's hoping the fund, which is managed by the St. Louis Community Foundation, will raise at least $250,000 by the end of 2025. It aims to support providers by addressing housing insecurity exacerbated by the tornado and a national housing crisis, Spencer said.
"We are asking members of the community, so many of whom have already asked, 'Mayor, what can we do to help?' Well, here is how you can help," Spencer said. "We are looking for your financial support in helping to support the providers that help and support our unhoused. The need is so enormous, we're asking for the community to step up and participate."
City officials said an angel donor made a contribution of $25,000 Thursday afternoon. Spencer said people can donate anywhere from $25 to $1,000 or more.
"It is going to be a donor-educated fund," Spencer added. "That means that all these donations are not only tax-deductible, but they are professionally managed in a donor-advised fund. All of these funds will go to help those in need this winter."
She said for now the city hasn't seeded any money into the fund, but she expects some seed money to come in soon from the private sector.
The city's Winter Shelter Fund was created in partnership with the St. Louis Continuum of Care, Peter & Paul Community Services, Gateway 180 and St. Louis Winter Outreach. All donations will go directly to shelter operations, including staffing, food, supplies and emergency equipment, city leaders said.
Kathy Connors, Chairperson of the St. Louis Continuum of Care, said the demand for winter shelter is typically high. Continuum of Care oversees more than 100 providers who offer services to those experiencing homelessness.
"In the winter in which we've experienced a tornado, the need is so great, and the immediate need for shelter needs to be met, so that we can also embrace individuals and get long-term outcomes for them as well," Connors said Thursday.
Earlier this month, Spencer and the Board of Aldermen appropriated nearly $14 million to provide additional services during winter weather to residents living in tornado-damaged homes or those who are homeless due to the storm.
Spencer said hotel rooms and rental assistance were also being made available for families with children, seniors 65 and older or those living with accessibility or functional needs.
To make a donation to the Winter Shelter Fund, visit the St. Louis Community Foundation's website.
Water utility assistance program
Spencer said during a press conference Thursday that the city is also expanding its water utility assistance program by increasing the payment plan options from 12 months to 24 months. Household income eligibility has also been expanded from 60% or below of the Area Median Income to 80% or below.
In September, the city lifted a moratorium on water bills that had been in place since 2020. Customers affected by the May 16 tornado will not have their water shut off.
"This will allow us to continue to move forward with (the) collection of over $14 million owed to our water division," Spencer said. "As you all know, especially during these cold winter months, as we start to see those water main breaks take up, we have a lot of unmet need in our water division and our water department, the infrastructure.
"So making sure that we do have revenue coming into that department is incredibly important to the solvency of our water division."
Leaders say more than 16,000 accounts, including non-residential customers, are still past due. Eligible residents will be assisted through the program on a first-come, first-served basis due to limited funding, officials said.
Those who apply and enroll in a repayment plan will not have their water service shut off while participating in the program.
To apply, visit the Water Division's website. For help applying, contact the Water Division at 314-771-2255 or visit their office at 1640 S. Kingshighway.
UPDATE: This story was updated to add additional comments from Thursday's press conference and more information on the water utility assistance program.
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