Collaboration Enhances Home Repair Services in St. Louis
An innovative initiative called the Home Repair Network is emerging as a solution for seniors and individuals with disabilities facing home repair challenges. The program is fueled by the recognition that maintaining the area’s older homes is essential for community health, housing stability, and economic prosperity. Given the substantial needs of the local population, the initiative has attracted the interest and support of various stakeholders, including the James S. McDonnell Foundation.
The inception of the Home Repair Network can be traced back to the late stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, when organizations committed to aiding homeowners began to convene virtually. During these Zoom meetings, leaders from different agencies discussed the difficulties surrounding service delivery amid unprecedented challenges. Elaine Powers, the executive director of Rebuilding Together St. Louis, articulated the collective aim: “What does it look like to deliver home repair services right now? What challenges do we have? What are we seeing? How can we help each other?” These discussions sparked the idea that a more collaborative approach could significantly enhance service delivery and better address the needs of the community.
The statistics surrounding home repair needs in St. Louis are sobering. Repairing the homes of older residents in the area would require a staggering $302 million, according to a study by the Community and Innovation Action Center at the University of Missouri–St. Louis. Those with the lowest incomes face the highest need for repairs, often having to choose between essential living expenses and maintaining their homes. The report highlights the dire situations faced by many families, as some may go years on waiting lists for essential home repairs.
“Nobody should have to choose between paying for their medication or fixing their roof,” Powers said. “We sometimes see seniors calling us too late,” she added. “They find themselves in dire circumstances that could have been addressed much sooner if they had been aware of the resources available.”
This is where Pearlie Bowen’s story adds a deeply personal element to the broader mission of the Home Repair Network. Bowen has lived in her home for over 50 years, a place filled with memories of raising her two sons alongside her late husband. After an accident in 2019 put her in a wheelchair, Bowen faced the daunting task of dealing with accessibility issues with her home. Fortunately, Beyond Housing built a wheelchair ramp for her, allowing her the freedom to enter and leave her home independently. As Ms. Bowen describes, the ramp was truly “a blessing,” enabling her to maintain her independence while aging in place — an essential aspect since her son lives right next door and helps care for her.
“This program has provided a lot of peace of mind — for me and my sons.”
Last year, the impact of the Home Repair Network extended further into her life. Beyond Housing reached out to past home repair recipients like Ms. Bowen to inform them of free estate planning services offered by Neighborhood Advocacy, an arm of Legal Services of Eastern Missouri (LSEM). Intrigued, Ms. Bowen took the initiative to reach out, seeking guidance on how to secure her home for her sons. Through careful research and meticulous discussions about her title and assets, attorneys were able to draft a transfer on death deed that ensured her home would pass directly to her sons without the complications of probate court.
The program not only provided Ms. Bowen with peace of mind but also aligned perfectly with the goals of the Home Repair Network — helping homeowners maintain their legacies and secure their financial futures. “This program has provided a lot of peace of mind — for me and my sons,” she remarked.
That is music to Peter Hoffman’s ears. He is the managing attorney for LSEM’s Neighborhood Advocacy program, which has an office in Old North St. Louis.
“Though estate planning is a universal legal need, Legal Services’ coordinated partnership with home repair providers ensures that we’re multiplying our impact for the most vulnerable clients and communities.”
As the Home Repair Network continues to evolve, initiatives like the one that assisted Ms. Bowen exemplify how collaborative efforts lead to tangible benefits for families striving to uphold their homeownership. By addressing both physical home repair and the legal complexities that often accompany it, these organizations are redefining what it means to support community members in need. In doing so, they not only repair homes but also strengthen families, ensuring that the value of hard-earned assets is safeguarded for generations to come.