City of St. Louis Completes Expansion of Jefferson Spaces Tiny Homes Transitional Housing Project, Doubling Number of Units Available to Assist Unhoused

Today, the City of St. Louis announced that the expansion of the Jefferson Spaces Tiny Homes transitional housing project has been completed. Funded with $1.2 million in American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds, the expansion doubles the number of Tiny Homes to 100, to assist unhoused individuals to transition into permanent supportive housing in partnership with the Magdala Foundation.

“This morning, I toured Jefferson Spaces to hear from residents and see up close how this major investment to double the amount of Tiny Homes will help transform lives,” said Mayor Tishaura O. Jones. “This is just one way the City is using American Rescue Plan funds to invest in long-term solutions that get people into permanent supportive housing and off the streets.”

Since launching the project in 2021, the Magdala Foundation has used the Tiny Home project to transition 160 residents into permanent supportive housing, including 41 thus far in 2023. Residents stay an average of six to nine months, and receive a variety of services to find jobs and build job skills, achieve sobriety, and find a permanent place they can call home.

“For 55 years, Magdala Foundation has been proud to support St. Louisans and set them on a path to permanent housing,” said Tom Mangogna, President & CEO of Magdala Foundation. “Through our partnership with the City of St. Louis, we are expanding our capacity to support more people and give them the services they deserve.”

According to data collected by the City of St. Louis Continuum of Care in January of 2023, the City of St. Louis has funded 337 transitional housing units; 1,797 permanent supportive housing units; and 896 emergency shelter beds, the highest of any municipality in the region. As the City continues to invest significantly in expanding these services, the administration will keep pushing for a regional solution to support unhoused neighbors and their communities.

“The City of St. Louis has invested millions of dollars to support unhoused people throughout the region,” said Adam Pearson, Director of Human Services for the City of St. Louis. “Collaboration with our regional partners to address the root causes of homelessness is key to ensuring equitable access to housing across zip codes.”