Mayor Spencer Signs Three Bills to Provide Tornado-Impacted Residents with Housing and Winter Shelter
In a move to support the residents affected by the recent tornado, Mayor Cara Spencer has signed three bills passed by the Board of Aldermen. These bills will allocate a total of $13.71 million to expand the city’s efforts in providing housing and shelter for those in need this winter.
The Mayor’s Office has worked closely with the Board of Aldermen to draft these bills, which were announced two weeks ago and have now been swiftly passed through the legislative process. Board Bills 93, 94, and 95 were all approved earlier today.
“This weekend marks six months since the biggest disaster to hit our community in generations killed five and changed thousands of St. Louisans’ lives,” said Mayor Spencer. “My top priority for the coming months is to ensure that all St. Louisans, whether they were experiencing homelessness before the tornado or had their homes damaged or destroyed in the tornado, get safely through this winter. The significant funding made available by these bills will help us do that, and I’m very grateful to the Board of Aldermen for passing this quickly.”
“I’m glad that we were able to get these bills out the door as quickly as we did. Temperatures are already dropping, so it’s critical that we get funds in the hands of providers as soon as possible,” said President of the Board of Aldermen Megan Green.
Board Bill 93, sponsored by Alderman Rasheen Aldridge, will increase the funding amount in the Impacted Tenants’ Fund by $1 million in accrued Rams interest. This will help displaced residents find safe shelter.
“The Impacted Tenants’ Fund is needed now more than ever, and with growing urgency as we get deeper and deeper into winter. I am thankful for the mayor and her team, the president and her team, and the numerous staff across the City who have helped fast-track this legislation. It is our job to safeguard the public, and this bill will help by ensuring that those who need to move into a safe living condition, but can’t, have the resources to do so,” said Alderman Aldridge.
Board Bill 94, sponsored by Alderwoman Alisha Sonnier, will allocate $3.36 million in accrued Rams interest for winter shelters. This funding can be used for various purposes, such as activating and operating additional winter shelter facilities, extending hours at existing shelters, and providing necessary supplies and services for new and existing shelters.
Board Bill 95, sponsored by Alderwoman Shameem Clark Hubbard, will use $9.35 million from the one-time fiscal year 2025 budget surplus to support tornado-impacted residents with housing. This includes funding for winter shelters, home repairs, deposit and rental assistance, housing production, and other critical rehousing services for those who lost their homes in the tornado.
