October 12, 2019 - 11:00 am
Click here for more information: Opportunities Fair in Fountain Park – Oct 12 from 11 -3
New Home Repair Partnership
Park Place Housing & Economic Development and Rebuilding Together announce a home repair partnership for the residents of Fountain Park and Lewis Place
Park Place Housing & Economic Development (PPHED) in partnership with Rebuilding Together-St. Louis is launching a multi-year home repair service in Fountain Park and Lewis Place Neighborhoods in St. Louis City, a home repair partnership to fight gentrification, displacement and ensure longtime residents remain in their homes and see the area improve around them. Lewis Place resident and Interim President of Park Place’s Board of Directors, Pamela McLucas, noted that this is “an important opportunity to invest in the people that make our community a greatplace to live. We live in a diverse neighborhood, so it’s important for us to include the most vulnerable members of our community in everything we do.” This multi-year initiative is designed to help address historic disinvestment in Fountain Park and Lewis Place and promote home ownership and community development in the Delmar Corridor.
Rebuilding Together-St. Louis is a national nonprofit organization that coordinates home repair services through a combination of governmental grants, philanthropic partners, donated labor from local unions and corporations to address a wide range of home repair needs. Home repairs will be focused on improving health, safety, and independence of long-time homeowners in Fountain Park and Lewis Place, including painting, grab bars, handrails, and other minor repairs will be completed by a combination of volunteers and certified contractors this fall. In Fountain Park and Lewis Place, 27% of residents still own their homes, 37% live on fixed incomes, and 97% are African American. “This great home repair program will enable many elderly and residents on fixed income to stay in their homes”, said Jesse Todd, 28th ward Alderman. “Many elderly and citizens on fixed income lose their homes because they cannot afford needed repairs. This is a much needed program in the Fountain Park/Lewis Place community. I, as Alderman am looking forward to working with this great group”.
“Investment in the needs of the longtime residents of our communities is how everyone thrives” saidSteve Roberts, State Representative for Missouri’s 77th district.
This Home Repair Partnership is part of a broader community development initiative in Fountain Park and Lewis Place, which is part of the Kingsway Development District. Kevin Bryant, President of Kingsway Development and a long-time business owner in Fountain Park, was happy to partner on thisinitiative “to help existing residents keep pace with private investments being made in the area. This is a good opportunity to ensure that no one feels left behind as the community improves”.
For inquiries contact:
Lisa Potts, Housing & Human Services Committee ChairPark Place Housing & Economic Development314-393-9437 parkplacehed@gmail.com