Evictions

The program makes $3.3 million in federal funding available for one-time payments to help prevent evictions.

The program makes $3.3 million in federal funding available for one-time payments to help prevent evictions.

The wide-reaching legislation also includes provisions on electric vehicle charging stations, a land bank program and chicken ownership.

Housing advocates are calling on city officials to help tenants at Fountains at Carondelet, a south St. Louis apartment complex, find new housing since the property has pest, electrical and mold issues.

Nationwide, rents and the cost of living are increasing. Eviction filings are "a great indicator of housing insecurity," says a researcher from Princeton University's Eviction Lab.

University City-based Matthew Chase is one of the busiest eviction attorneys in both St. Louis, St. Louis County and St. Charles County — as evidenced by the fact that many of the area’s biggest landlords have picked them as their go-to guy.

The Conflict Resolution Center-St. Louis offers landlords and tenants a free, nonlegal route to solving disputes.

The Board of Aldermen returns in September, when a handful of bills designed to help tenants are likely to be introduced.

The program, which will initially target the ZIP codes with the highest number of evictions, is currently funded for just one year. Supporters say they are exploring all sources of funding to continue it in perpetuity.

The budget generated little contention, but the bill that would provide legal counsel to tenants facing eviction prompted debate.