$1M grant to help homeless in St. Louis

ST. LOUIS -- A $1 million federal grant will provide housing for homeless people in St. Louis, Mayor Francis Slay said Tuesday.

The city announced it has been awarded the grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for its Housing First program.

Slay's office said the grant will be used to move homeless people and families into homes and apartments immediately.

City officials have said they believe at least half the homeless in St. Louis could find housing through the program. Over the next year, the grant is expected to provide housing for up to 150 people.

After housing is assured, city officials will work with the homeless to address the issues that led to them living on the streets. Slay said contrary to what some believe, most people who are homeless in St. Louis are not mentally ill and in need of permanent support.

"They may have lost a job, missed utilities payments, had their power shut off and were put out of their apartment," Slay said in a statement. "What they need is short-term help to get back into housing and on their feet."

In addition to rental assistance, the grant money can be used for things such as addressing legal problems, utility deposits, moving costs and job-search costs.

The CEO of St. Louis' largest homeless-services provider, Laurie Phillips of the St. Patrick Center, said the project could provide what she calls "a new era in homeless services."

The city already has applied for another $1 million grant for a second year of the program, Slay's office said.