CDA Announces Over $17 Million in FY2026 CDBG and HOME Investments

 

The City of St. Louis  - Community Development Administration (CDA) today announced its funding recommendations for Fiscal Year 2026, directing more than $17.4 million in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds and $2.45 million in HOME Investment Partnership (HOME) funds to support affordable housing, social services, economic development, and neighborhood revitalization across the City.

These annual federal investments advance the City’s Economic Justice Action Plan to strengthen neighborhoods, expand affordable housing, and improve quality of life for residents—particularly for low- and moderate-income households.

Funding for FY2026 reflects the City’s continued commitment to recovery and resilience following the May 16, 2025, tornado, which caused significant damage to homes and neighborhoods in North St. Louis. Programs such as Operation Food Search’s Tornado Recovery Food Assistance and expanded Healthy Home Repair and Weatherization programs are among those addressing urgent post-disaster needs.

“The need for these funds has never been greater, and I look forward to putting these federal dollars to work to effectively strengthen communities, particularly as we focus on recovery and rebuilding neighborhoods damaged by the tornado,” said Mayor Cara Spencer. “The organizations we fund through CDBG have long histories of supporting our community. We are proud to partner with these grantees, who remain on the front lines of recovery and building a brighter future for St. Louis.”

“This year’s CDBG awards reflect the City’s deep commitment to partnering with a diverse range of organizations that play a vital role in strengthening our neighborhoods,” said Nahuel Fefer, CDA Executive Director. “The CDBG program—together with an array of other public, private, and philanthropic funds—is fostering a regenerative ecosystem of social services and developments. This network is catalyzing equitable, sustainable growth in the City of St. Louis.”
 

About the CDBG Program

Established in 1974 by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) program provides flexible funding to help local governments address a wide range of community development needs. Cities, counties, and regions decide how to use these funds to meet local priorities such as affordable housing, infrastructure improvements, and services for low- and moderate-income residents.

In the City of St. Louis, CDBG awards are determined through a competitive rating system based on the Economic Justice Action Plan. The priorities for the FY2026 awards were shaped by extensive public engagement and research conducted through the City’s 2025–2029 Consolidated Plan process. This plan guides the City’s investments in housing and community development over the next five years. The draft Consolidated Plan is now available for public comment, and residents are encouraged to review and provide feedback.

Notable components of this year’s awards include investments in youth support, transitional housing, employment training programs, and neighborhood beautification, while also expanding access to vital community services such as food pantries, senior care, and technology training programs.

Next Steps & Public Comment

The public is invited to attend a Public Hearing in person or virtually to provide feedback on the proposed funding priorities.
🗓️ Thursday, November 6, 2025
🕥 10:45 AM – 12:00 PM
📍 1520 Market Street, 2nd Floor Board Room, St. Louis, MO 63103

The public is invited to comment on these funding recommendations at the upcoming public hearing or by submitting written comments to CDBG@stlouis-mo.gov 

• November 6, 2025, 11:45 AM – Public Hearing

2026 CDA CDBG and HOME Annual Action Plan & Budget

Public Services – $3,321,953

• Boys & Girls Club of Greater St. Louis –
  • Out of School Time for Youth ($98,000);
  • St. Louis Internship Program for Youth ($98,177)
• Big Brothers Big Sisters of Eastern Missouri – Youth Mentoring & Wraparound Support ($200,000)
• Carondelet Community Betterment Federation – Food & Nutritional Services ($91,355)
• City Seniors, Inc. – Food Pantry ($30,000); Senior Services ($135,490)
• Covenant House Missouri –
  • Transitional Living Program ($55,000);
  • Genesis Shelter Program ($65,000)
• Criminal Justice Ministry –
  • CJM First Services Program ($40,000);
  • Foundations First Housing Program ($155,000);
  • Reentry Housing Operations ($155,000)
• Employment Connection –
  • ReEntry ($175,000);
  • Solar Workforce Development Program ($200,000)
• Gene Slay’s Girls & Boys Club of St. Louis – Campus Afterschool & Summer Programs ($200,000)
• Guardian Angel Settlement Association –
  • Housing Stability ($50,000);
  • Food Pantry ($50,000);
  • Senior Services ($50,000);
  • Childcare ($50,000)
• Hope House STL – Transitional Housing Program ($175,000)
• Doorways (Interfaith Residence) – Comprehensive Flex Housing ($150,000)
• Youth and Family Center – Out of School Program ($70,000)
• Midtown Community Services – Youth Development & Empowerment ($25,903)
• Mission: St. Louis –
  • Beyond Jobs ($104,406);
  • Beyond School ($125,124)
• Northside Youth & Senior Service Center – Northside Senior Meal Program ($90,000)
• Operation Food Search – Tornado Recovery Food Assistance ($150,000)
• Peter & Paul Community Services – Jugan Shelter ($200,000)
• Seed St. Louis – Building Gardens, Growing Communities ($97,054)
• St. Patrick Center – Workforce Development Program ($75,000)
• Tower Grove Neighborhoods CDC – ARCH by HomeScreen ($57,000)
• Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis – Save Our Sons and Sisters Job Placement ($104,444)

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Interim Assistance – $1,870,000

• Land Reutilization Authority – Property Maintenance & Vacancy Support ($1,500,000)
• Parks, Recreation & Forestry – Operation Brightside ($370,000)

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Low/Moderate-Income Homeowner Assistance – $3,482,606

• The Housing Partnership – Down Payment Assistance ($172,500)
• Building Division – Healthy Home Repair Inspections ($350,000)
• Mission: St. Louis –
  • Healthy Home Repair Program ($800,000);
  • Energy Efficiency & Weatherization ($260,106)
• Community Development Administration – Home Repair Program Loan Pool ($1,900,000)

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Housing Production – $3,050,000 (CDBG) + $2,453,788 (HOME)

• Community Development Administration –
  • Affordable Housing Production & Preservation ($2,000,000 CDBG / $2,313,788 HOME);
  • Rehabilitation Administration ($1,050,000 CDBG / $140,000 HOME)

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Economic Development – $1,762,613

• St. Louis Development Corporation – Economic Development Programs ($500,000)
• Justine Petersen – Microenterprise Lending & Training Program ($400,000)
• Upwards Care, Inc. – Boost Childcare Provider Support Program ($240,000)
• T-REX – Entrepreneurial Cohort Program ($322,613)
• Community Development Administration – Commercial Facade Improvement Program ($300,000)

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Public Improvements – $500,000

• Preservation of Affordable Housing – Clinton-Peabody Street/Sidewalk Improvements ($500,000)

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Planning & Administration – $3,496,793

• Community Development Administration – CDA Administration ($1,997,293)
• Comptroller’s Office – Federal Grants Administrative Support ($45,000)
• Planning & Urban Design Agency – PDA Administration ($1,125,000)
• St. Louis Development Corporation – Capacity Building for Minority Contractors ($100,000)
• City Counselor’s Office – Legal Services Support Program ($229,500)

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Total FY2026 Proposed Funding

• CDBG: $17,483,965

• HOME: $2,453,788