Workforce Housing STL

Workforce Housing Report

Today there is a mismatch between the location of many jobs in metropolitan St. Louis and the location of housing that is affordable for workers who fill those positions. Entry-level and low-wage earners in particular often have a difficult time finding housing close to work.

Choices for these workers include commuting long distances or spending too much of their take-home pay to live closer to work. Other options are to move in with relatives or friends, or even stay in substandard housing or a homeless shelter, although they have steady jobs. [MORE]

Features

A Missouri & Southwest Illinois Housing Conference–March 2011

FOCUS St. Louis in partnership with the Missouri Workforce Housing Association is planning a large-scale housing conference for Missouri and Southwest Illinois to take place in March 2011 in St. Louis, Missouri. Watch this space for more information. You may also contact Nikki Weinstein, Policy and Community Engagement Director at FOCUS St. Louis at 314-622-1250 x102 or nikkiw@focus-stl.org to become involved in the planning or for more information.

GOOD FOR BUSINESS

Kevin Kast, former President and CEO of SSM St. Joseph Health Center in St. Charles, Mo, was confident the doctors in his center were providing the best possible care. What kept him up at night were concerns as...

For more on Kevin Kast's experience click here.

GOOD FOR NEIGHBORHOODS

If housing in St. Charles is unaffordable, eventually workers will move farther and farther out, as they are already doing. Eventually, Mayor Lambi says, the jobs will follow them. For more on Wentzville Mayor Lambi’s views on the need for starter homes in every community click here.

GOOD FOR FAMILIES

Sara works as a full-time case manager at a local non-profit where she serves teen mothers. She is a 33-year-old college graduate and single mother of a nine-year-old daughter. Sara considers herself to be one of the region's many working poor.

For more of Sarah's story click here.