"Finest 15" partnership between LRA and SLACO neighborhood committee

When the SLACO vacancy committee met with LRA staff in January, they asked if they could pick 15 LRA properties in Walnut Park West and help market and sell them to homeowners.

LRA responded by providing “For Sale” signs and attending numerous homebuying workshops, led by neighborhood leaders Angela Drake, Eltorean Hawkins, Lillie Clay and Al Willis. The workshops addressed such topics as how to purchase LRA properties, financing options and renovation costs. As a result, eight of the first “Finest 15” are under contract and the first one closed last week. A ribbon cutting and open house was held on October 20^th to celebrate Donita Sims’ purchase of her first home, a former LRA property in Walnut Park West.

The “Finest 15” partnership will continue highlighting and marketing LRA properties in different neighborhoods throughout the City of St. Louis. The price of these selected properties range from $1000 to $4000. The committee estimates that rehabilitating these homes requires approximately $10,000 in investment. The "Finest 15" properties all have strong foundations and well maintained roofs and need a minimal amount of work.   

The next Finest 15 workshop will be held this Saturday, October 28^th at 10am at the at O’Fallon Park YMCA, 4343 W. Florissant. The partnership has selected 15 properties in the Fairground Neighborhood that are ready for rehab and perfect for home-ownership.