Restoring Homes, Renewing Lives - Mission: St. Louis’ Minor Home Repair Program

By Michelle Kim, Washington University Gephardt Institute for Civic and Community Engagement 2025 St. Louis Fellow

At Mission: St. Louis, the Minor Home Repair Program exists to ensure that aging adults and individuals with disabilities can continue living safely and comfortably in their homes. With funding from the Community Development Administration’s (CDA) Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), the Minor Home Repair Program is making a meaningful impact across St. Louis – completing 125 to 200 homes every year. 

Todd Martin, Senior Director of Home Repair, leads a team of eight, who work to identify and repair homes all throughout the city.

“Our goal isn’t just to fix what’s broken. It’s to listen, collaborate, and create a safer space where people can thrive. Every repair is a step towards independence, dignity, and honoring the lives people have built in their homes. It’s about showing up, doing the work with care, and reminding our neighbors they’re not alone,” Martin said.

The program addresses critical needs for homeowners who often have nowhere else to turn. Each project averages 20-25 repairs, with a budget of $1,000 to $2,000, and is completed within a remarkably tight two-day window. 

A unique feature of MHRP is its focus on safety, accessibility, and long-term functionality. With the support of a HUD grant, the team onboarded Emma, an occupational therapist, to ensure that repairs go beyond patchwork fixes. Emma meets with program participants three times throughout the home repair process – during the initial assessment with the participant, at the site visit with the Home Repair Project Coordinator, and after repairs are completed for a final assessment – bringing expertise that identifies not just what needs fixing today, but what can be fixed to prevent hazards and support independence in the future.

“We’re not doing for other people – we’re doing with other people,” Emma said. Mission: St. Louis’ philosophy makes homeowners true partners in the repair process.

The journey begins with an application, followed by a site visit to assess needs. Once work is scheduled, a team of four skilled contractors, working in pairs, complete the repairs – everything from installing grab bars to fixing broken steps. The goal is to make small changes that create a big difference in the lives of residents like Ms. Bobbie and Ms. Dorothy, where these repairs restored their sense of safety and independence at home. 

Back view of Ms. Bobbie’s home, where a newly installed grab bar provides easier access to and from her harvest ready garden.

Front view of Ms. Dorothy’s home, where newly installed railings provide easier access to and from the front door.

Finding the right people to do this work is essential. Every team member brings not only skill but also a heart for service – because the mission is more than just fixing homes. The Minor Home Repair program is about treating participants like part of the team, respecting their preferences and input, making every dollar stretch to source the best materials possible. When a need exceeds the program’s scope, the team connects homeowners with trusted referrals, ensuring that no one is left without options. 

In 2024 alone, the Minor Home Repair Program saved residents hundreds of thousands of dollars in repair costs, labor, and time. But more importantly, it strengthened community ties and helped keep residents safely in the homes they love. 

“Investing in people starts with investing in the places they call home,” says CDA Executive Director Nahuel Fefer, “The Minor Home Repair Program exemplifies how public funding, when paired with dedicated community partners like Mission: St. Louis, can create lasting, life-changing impact.”

About the Community Development Administration (CDA): The CDA serves as the City of St. Louis' hub for federal, state, and local funds, implementing the Mayor's economic justice agenda. By funding public and nonprofit entities, the CDA supports a wide range of initiatives, including public services, affordable housing development, blight eradication, and other community development activities.