Through the Healthy Home Repair Program, Ms. K’s home received critical repairs, including a new roof, new gutters, and a new furnace. These repairs not only improved the safety and livability of her home but also helped to preserve the historic character of her neighborhood.
This article first appeared in the CDA 202-2024 Impact Report (April 2025): A Look at Five Years of Housing, Community Development, and Neighborhood Revitalization Efforts in St. Louis
To learn more about CDA’s programs, investments, and impact citywide, read the full report here.
CDA’s Healthy Home Repair Program: Providing Support to Low to Moderate Income Homeowners in St. Louis
For nearly 30 years, Susan has called her home in Bevo her own. But over time, the house began to show signs of wear—water leaking into her basement, a deteriorating roof, and poor outdoor lighting that left her feeling unsafe at night. Through the Healthy Home Repair Program, which was expanded by ARPA funding, Susan’s home received much-needed repairs. CDA funded a roof replacement and exterior concrete work to keep Susan’s home dry, as well as both interior and exterior electrical work, including the installation of a dusk-to-dawn light on her back porch to improve visibility between her garage and home.
“The roof – it’s really nice. To look up at my ceiling in the living room and realize it doesn’t have a hole in it is nice,” Susan said. “When I come out of the garage, I have light.”
“I didn’t have a porch light before. That makes me feel safer.” – Susan
Melissa has lived in her home in the O’Fallon neighborhood for 28 years, but over time, her wheelchair-accessible ramp and rear room addition had deteriorated to the point of being unsafe and unusable. The disrepair of these critical features limited her mobility and created hazards in her home. Through the ARPA-expanded Healthy Home Repair Program, these dangerous conditions were addressed. The old, deteriorated ramp was removed, and new railings were installed around the front porch and along both sides of the steps to provide stability and support.
Additionally, the damaged rear room addition was replaced with a newly constructed two-story deck, complete with a roof covering and new storm doors. These improvements not only restored the safety and accessibility of her home but also enhanced its overall functionality and comfort.
“It was work that was needed. Everything was needed. It has impacted my life! I wouldn’t have been able to afford it.” – Melissa
Ms. K. has lived in her St. Louis Place home for 18 years, but structural issues had created serious safety hazards for her and her 2-year-old grandchild. Through the Healthy Home Repair Program, Ms. K’s home received critical repairs, including a new roof, new gutters, and a new furnace. These repairs not only improved the safety and livability of her home but also helped to preserve the historic character of her neighborhood.
